KARACHI, June 11: An unrelenting heatwave pushed temperatures across the city towards 43.5 degrees Centigrade, making Friday the hottest day of the month.

An official of the Pakistan Meteorological Department told Dawn that the maximum and minimum temperatures on Friday were 43.5 degrees Centigrade and 39 degrees Centigrade, respectively.

He added that humidity - or the amount of moisture in the air - was 39 per cent. He said that on Friday temperature had risen by over four degrees Centigrade, from Thursday's 39 degrees Centigrade.

The record of highest temperature in June is 47 degrees Centigrade which occurred on June 18, 1979. The PMD official said that temperature had increased because hot and dry north-easterly winds were blowing in the city.

According to Met Office, in May last, the mercury here went up to 44 degrees Centigrade, adds APP. Partly cloudy or cloudy weather, with chances of light rain, is expected on Saturday, with maximum temperature ranging between 39 and 41 degrees Centigrade.