Punjab authorities have issued a province-wide heatwave alert, warning of a sharp rise in temperatures in the coming weeks, with southern districts likely to face extreme conditions reaching up to 52 degrees Celsius.
The advisory, issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), said May and June were expected to be the hottest months of the year, with temperatures across much of Punjab forecast to range between 43-45°C under normal conditions — and significantly higher during heatwave spells.
Officials noted that temperatures in recent days have already been recorded 2-4°C above normal levels, signalling an early onset of intense summer conditions.
According to the PDMA, a mild heatwave is expected to affect southern Punjab from April 29 to May 3, while the upper parts of the province may experience some relief due to a westerly weather system. The system, expected to influence the region from the night of April 27 through April 29 and again from May 3 to May 5, could temporarily lower temperatures by 2-4°C in northern areas.
Despite this short-term relief, authorities warned that southern Punjab remains particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, with districts in the region historically experiencing the highest temperatures during peak summer months.
PDMA Director General Umar Javed urged the public — especially children, women and the elderly — to take precautionary measures, including avoiding unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and increasing water intake to prevent heat-related illnesses.
