LAHORE: The heatwave gripping the plains of the country persisted with some more intensity on Sunday as temperatures shot up to another one or two degrees C, disrupting life in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.

The maximum temperature and the overall heat index in many cities was more than the human tolerance level.

Jacobabad continued to be the hottest place in the country with 51 degrees C maximum temperature for the second day running. The highest ever maximum temperature of the Sindh city, which is closer to Balochistan in the north, is 53 degrees C that was recorded in 1919.

The maximum temperature of Padidan and Dadu rose to 50 degrees C. It also shot up to 49 degrees C in Bahawalnagar, Sibbi, Rahim Yar Khan, Rohri, Moenjodero, Larkana and Shaheed Benazirabad.

Lahore’s maximum temperature rose from Saturday’s 46 degrees C to 47 degrees C which was 2 degrees C higher than its normal in June. Lahore’s highest ever maximum temperature was recorded in 2005 which was 48 degrees C.

Roads wore a deserted look throughout the day as it was too hot to brave in the open. A number of people including women and children were seen beating the heat at the Lahore canal. Disruption of power and water supply in many localities like in Samanabad added to the hardships of people.

The maximum temperature in Multan was also 47 degrees C as against its normal 43 degrees C of June. It had recorded its highest ever maximum temperature, 49.8 degrees C, in 1994.

The maximum temperature of Sargodha was 44, Turbat and Dera Ismail Khan 46 degrees C. Sargodha’s known highest ever maximum temperature, 51, was recorded in 2010 and Faisalabad’s 48, in 2005.

The Met department said it will remain mainly hot and dry weather in most parts of the country in the next 24 hours. However, dust-thunderstorm/rain is expected at isolated places in Malakand, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Peshawar divisions, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir because of a shallow westerly wave over upper parts of the country.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2019