PESHAWAR: Authorities in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have issued a heatwave alert as temperatures in several districts are expected to climb as high as 47°C over the coming days, raising concerns over heatstroke, dehydration and pressure on public health systems.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an advisory covering multiple districts, including Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Peshawar and Mardan, warning residents to take precautionary measures as extreme heat intensifies.
According to PDMA Spokesperson Anwar Shehzad, the prevailing weather conditions pose serious health risks, particularly for outdoor workers, children and the elderly.
The warning follows a weather advisory issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department, which said high atmospheric pressure is driving the temperature surge across much of the country.
“Met office informed that due to the presence of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, heatwave conditions are likely to develop over southern and central parts of the country from 07th to 11th May, while in upper parts from 08th to 10th May,” the department said in its advisory issued earlier this week.
Under the forecast, southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Karak, Bannu and Lakki Marwat, are expected to record daytime temperatures between 43°C and 47°C.
In central parts of the province, including Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera and Kohat, temperatures are likely to range between 39°C and 43°C.
The Meteorological Department said a shallow westerly weather system is expected to enter the country’s upper regions on the evening of May 10 and persist through May 13, potentially bringing some relief and easing the intensity of the heatwave.
Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, Shehzad urged the public to adopt preventive measures, including limiting outdoor movement during peak heat hours and increasing water intake to avoid heat-related illness.
Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors between 11am and 4pm unless absolutely necessary, as those hours are expected to see the most intense temperatures.
The PDMA has also directed district administrations to establish heatstroke response centers and mobile cooling stations in crowded public spaces, including markets and major roads, to provide emergency support during the heatwave.
Farmers, particularly during the ongoing wheat harvesting season, have been advised to schedule field work and livestock care during cooler parts of the day to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and animal losses.
KP remains highly vulnerable to climate-linked weather extremes, with authorities increasingly facing a cycle of heatwaves, flash floods and glacial hazards across its varied terrain, stretching from mountainous north to arid southern plains.
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