LAHORE: An environmental specialist has forecasted that Punjab could face a heatwave starting from May 12, 2024, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees.
During an interview with a private TV channel on Thursday, Dr. Zulfiqar, an expert in environmental matters and climate research, remarked that akin to Sindh’s scorching conditions, Punjab is likely to experience a heatwave from the second week of the current month.
He advised people to minimize outdoor activities and remain indoors to prevent heatstroke, suggesting the use of wide pots filled with water to maintain humidity indoors.
Simultaneously, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) indicated in its May monthly forecast that the neutral phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is expected to continue, along with the positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD).
The PMD anticipates near-normal rainfall in most parts of the country, with slightly above-normal rainfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Balochistan, northern Punjab, and Azad Kashmir.
Daytime maximum temperatures are projected to be slightly above normal in northern and southern regions, while central areas, including much of Punjab and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, may experience normal to slightly below normal maximum temperatures. The PMD also expects warmer than normal minimum temperatures nationwide, with significant deviations in northern KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
The weather department highlights the likelihood of heatwave development, particularly in the plains of the southern half of the country.
Additionally, above-normal precipitation in May is forecasted to benefit agriculture, but precautions are advised to protect standing wheat crops from hailstorms and windstorms in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Photohar region, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In high-altitude regions, anticipated higher temperatures are predicted to hasten snowmelt, presenting opportunities for irrigation and power generation.
