LAHORE, May 16: The heatwave intensified on Sunday despite the Met office forecast for a dust storm and light rain in the city. It remained hot and dry all over the country with the highest temperature being recorded in Nawabshah at 46 degrees Celsius. It was followed by 45.2 degrees Celsius in Sargodha and 45 degrees in Bahawalnagar.

The maximum temperature in Lahore increased from Saturday's 43.5 degrees to 44.5 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature during the night also increased to 29.4 degrees Celsius, from Saturday's 28 degrees Celsius.

There was 42 per cent humidity in the morning and 17 per cent in the evening. The heat during the previous night and on Sunday made life difficult for people, especially because it was accompanied by repeated power breakdowns.

City's parks, recreational places and streets wore a deserted look as people preferred to spend the weekly holiday at home. Youngsters were however seen beating the heat at city's canal from Jallo to the University Campus.

The Met office has again predicted dust storms, thunderstorms and light rain in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala divisions during the next 24 hours.

The maximum temperature was recorded in Sibi at 44.6 degrees Celsius, in Chhore at 44.5, in Multan at 44.2, in Mianwali, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad and Rohri at 44, in Bannu and Jacobabad at 43.5, in Khanpur at 43.4, in Sialkot at 43.3, in Bahawalpur at 42.8, in Jhelum at 42.7, in Hyderabad at 42.5, in Kotli at 41.8 and in Peshawar at 41.5. - Staff Reporter