The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a severe heatwave alert for most parts of the country, especially Punjab and Sindh, starting from next week.

“It is forecasted that heatwave conditions are likely to develop over most parts of the country, especially Punjab and Sindh from May 21 and likely to advance into severe heatwave conditions from May 23 to May 27,” the NDMA said in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.

“Daytime temperatures are likely to remain 4-6°C above normal in Punjab and Sindh (approx. 35-40°C) from May 21 to May 23 whereas it will remain 6-8°C above normal from May 23 to May 27 (approx. 45°C or above).

“Daytime temperatures in Islamabad, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and State of AJ&K are expected to remain 4-6°C above normal from May 21 to May 27 (approx. 35-40°C),” it added.

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The NDMA further said a shallow westerly wave may affect upper parts of the country from May 16 to May 19, due to which dust storms / thunderstorms rains are expected.