The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a red alert as a severe heatwave is set to push temperatures sharply higher across Punjab’s major cities and plains by May 19. Citizens are urged to take serious precautions as the intense heat intensifies.
The PDMA warned tourists planning trips to Murree to keep a close eye on weather updates and avoid travel during unstable conditions. Residents and visitors are advised to stay indoors during peak heat hours, avoid open spaces, and follow official safety guidelines.
Officials across Punjab have been instructed to stay on high alert, especially with the possibility of heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicts gusty winds and thundershowers in Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and nearby hilly areas during evenings and nights.
The heatwave is expected to affect Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan with intense daytime temperatures. Some relief may come from scattered rain and thunderstorms in certain regions later in the day.
Health authorities have issued warnings for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses, advising them to stay hydrated, limit sun exposure, wear light clothing, and take cool showers to avoid heat-related illnesses.