LAHORE: Maximum temperatures set a new record in some Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cities as the persisting heat wave further intensified on Sunday, and the Met department said a westerly wave was fast approaching the country for a refreshing partial break in the harsh weather in the next three days.

Noorpurthal and Bhakkar recorded 52 degrees C maximum temperature, the highest in the country and the highest ever of their history as the heat wave appeared to be centered over south Punjab and adjoining Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Dera Ismail Khan and Sibbi recorded 51, Sargodha and Risalpur 50, Mianwali and Dera Ghazi Khan 49.

Westerly wave likely in three days

The Met department said besides Noorpurthal and Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan also recorded its highest ever temperature. Its previous highest temperature was 50 degrees C on June 20, 1986.

With slight difference, it was extremely hot in the rest of the cities in the plain areas of the country too. Even the temperatures rose over the hilly areas accelerating the badly needed snow and glacier melt there.

Lahore’s maximum temperature was 46 degrees C. Hot winds that continued to blow throughout the day forced people to remain indoors. As a result streets remained deserted during the day. But Lahore canal once again proved to be the only refuge against the energy-sapping heat for those who could dare travel to it.

The maximum temperature in Peshawar was 48 degrees C, Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan and Mandi Bahauddin 47.5, Kot Addu, Faisalabad 47, Multan, Jhelum, Sahiwal and Okara, 46, Sialkot, Jhang 46.5, Kasur 45.2, Gujranwala, Islamabad and Chakwal 45.

Karachi’s maximum temperature dropped from Saturday’s 40 degrees C to 37 degrees C because of the change in the direction of wind.

The Met department however said a westerly wave is likely to enter upper parts of the country on Monday and will persist during the next two to three days.

The relief will start from upper parts of the country where dust storms and rain with gusty winds will lash isolated places in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala divisions upper Fata, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on Monday. The rain in these areas will also lower temperatures to some extent in adjoining places in the plains. Those away will continue to face very hot weather.

On Tuesday, there will be dust-thunderstorm/rain with gusty winds at scattered places in Hazara division and Kashmir while at isolated places in Malakand,Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha divisions, Islamabad, Fata and Gilgit-Baltistan. Hot and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2017