Temperatures in Karachi are expected to soar to a sweltering 41 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said.

The city is set to experience hot and dry weather from Monday till Thursday, an official at the Met Office told Dawn.com.

He added that temperatures in Karachi are expected to remain between 38-40C on Monday, soaring to 39-41C on Tuesday.

The forecast for Wednesday remains between 38-40C.

Although the Met Office has not released a heatwave warning yet, it has advised citizens to drink lots of water and remain indoors.

In response to the forecasts, Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar on Monday chaired a meeting regarding the expected heatwave in Karachi.

"Meeting regarding heatwave in Karachi. Keeping in view the forecasts, Emergency Response Centres are being established across the city," the mayor said in a tweet.

The Sindh government has chalked out a contingency plan in view of the possible return of extreme weather conditions which had killed around 1,500 people in the metropolis some two years ago.

"The provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) of Sindh is spearheading the plans to save people from possible extreme weather events in a coordinated manner," a senior Sindh government official told Dawn earlier this week.

Officials at the city administration feared a heatwave was extremely plausible when temperatures had already climbed close to 40C even though the traditional summer months had not yet begun.

Critics have blamed the government for not keeping its promises after the deaths of hundreds of people in Karachi due to sweltering temperatures.

The provincial and city administrations remained unable to ensure widespread tree plantation, adequate water supply to water-deficient areas and uninterrupted power supply during the long summer months.

JPMC's heatwave prep

Arrangements are being made at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre in order to meet any heatwave-related emergencies, JPMC Executive Director Dr Seemin Jamali told Dawn.

The arrangements include the set up of air-conditioned areas in the centre along with installation of fans and hand towels. Drips have also been arranged for, Jamali said.

JPMC has also prepared educational brochures informing individuals of ways to treat heat-related illnesses at home. The brochures also lists the symptoms one may experience due to extreme temperatures.

It warns that individuals might feel tired due to dehydration and that the high temperatures may cause some to faint, for example.