PDMA issues heatwave alert across KP during Eid holidays

PESHAWAR, May 21 (APP): Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Thursday issued a heatwave alert across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the Eid holidays, warning of a significant rise in temperatures from May 25 to May 31.

According to the spokesperson of PDMA, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast the formation of a high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere from May 25, which is expected to intensify further from May 26, resulting in moderate to severe heatwave conditions across the province.

The authority warned that temperatures in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu, Karak and Lakki Marwat districts could remain 4 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal, with mercury likely to rise between 47 and 50 degrees Celsius.

Similarly, temperatures in Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Haripur, Mohmand, Bajaur, Khyber, Hangu, North Waziristan and Kohat are expected to range between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius.

PDMA said severe heatwave conditions were also likely to persist in upper districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Abbottabad, Kohistan, Mansehra, Kurram and South Waziristan.

The authority directed district administrations to ensure precautionary measures for the protection of human lives, crops and livestock.

Citizens were advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight between 10 am and 5 pm, while special precautions were recommended for children and elderly people.

People were also advised to increase water intake, wear light-colored loose clothing and adopt preventive measures against heatstroke, dehydration and other heat-related illnesses.

PDMA instructed the Health Department and district administrations to establish heatstroke centres, cooling points and mobile cooling stations at important locations, while Rescue 1122 and fire brigade teams were directed to remain on high alert to tackle possible fire incidents.

Farmers were advised to carry out wheat harvesting and other agricultural activities according to weather conditions and ensure protection of livestock during the heatwave.

The spokesperson said the PDMA Emergency Operations Centre remained fully functional and urged citizens to report any emergency situation through the helpline 1700.