As the scorching heatwave grips nearly 26 districts across the country since May 21, the climate change ministry declared on Thursday that the first wave of heat will continue until May 30, followed by two more waves in June. They blame harmful environmental practices like deforestation for these extreme weather conditions.
Romina Khurshid Alam, the PM’s coordinator on climate change, addressed a press conference alongside senior officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). She asked the federal and provincial government departments to utilize the resources they have to keep citizens safe, particularly children and the elderly, from the extreme heat.
Referring to data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Romina Alam highlighted that temperatures in most regions were 5 to 6 degrees Celsius higher than usual. She mentioned that 26 districts in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan were facing severe heatwave conditions, expected to continue in three waves throughout the summer.
The ongoing first wave, lasting from May 22 to 30, will be followed by more waves in early and late June. She stated that the second heatwave would occur from June 7 to 8 and the third wave at the end of June.
She emphasized that high atmospheric pressure worsens these conditions, affecting people’s daily activities and the economy negatively. Ms. Alam, along with NDMA’s Member for Disaster Risk Reduction Idrees Mahsud and technical expert Dr. Tayyab, stressed the importance of guidelines and early warnings to prevent heatwave-related deaths, similar to the devastating 2015 heatwave which claimed nearly 2,500 lives.
She pointed out that heatwaves are mainly caused by humans, worsened by deforestation and other harmful environmental practices. Ms. Alam stated that global warming impacts the world, leading to frequent and intense heatwaves. Public awareness campaigns are ongoing through various media to educate people about health risks and preventive measures.
To prevent casualties, she urged the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, especially vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with health issues. NDMA is currently focusing on providing early warnings and collaborating with provincial departments to handle natural disasters.
Ms. Alam warned that the heatwave could accelerate glacier melting and increase forest fire risks. She advised caution in national parks and avoiding discarding flammable materials. Dr. Tayyab from NDMA highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, emphasizing the risk of drought during heatwaves. NDMA is developing a mobile app for real-time alerts and disaster management plans.
