KARACHI:
A heat wave is expected to hit the city on Sunday (today), with northwestern winds from Balochistan’s hot deserts dominating most of the time. Due to the cessation of sea breeze and an increase in humidity levels to 50 per cent in the morning, mercury may hit 41 degrees Celsius and above.
The heat wave is likely to continue until April 23, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). Children, women, and elderly people have been advised to avoid direct exposure to the sun and consume plenty of water.
The heat wave is caused by a gradual drop in air pressure, which will lead to a significant rise in temperature in Karachi. However, temperatures are expected to decrease in central Sindh districts, according to a spokesperson for the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
The Early Warning Centre of the PMD has issued a heat wave alert, stating that the city will experience a heat wave from today with hot, dry and humid weather conditions for several days.
During the heat wave, sea breeze may completely cease from morning to evening, and hot desert winds from Balochistan will hit the city, potentially pushing temperatures above 41 degrees Celsius.
According to the Met office, in the new heat wave the temperature is expected to remain four to six degrees above normal during this period.
It is worth noting that previously the heat wave alert was announced from Monday.
The Meteorological Department on Saturday recorded the city’s maximum temperature touching 36.5 degrees Celsius, with a humidity level of 26 per cent. Jacobabad in rural Sindh recorded the highest temperature, reaching 45 degrees Celsius, 6.5 degrees above normal.
A spokesperson for the Meteorological Department, Anjum Nazir Zaighum, said that during a heat wave, there is a possibility that the sea breeze may become active again after evening. If the sea breeze remains shut continuously, the weather situation could become severe.
He added that the heat wave in Karachi is caused by air pressure, which is linked to a Western system entering the country. The decrease in air pressure could lead to extremely hot weather in the city, while temperature may decrease in the upper and central Sindh districts.
