KARACHI: Mercury soared to 45 degrees Celsius and above in 14 cities in Sindh on the first day of the week-long heatwave that set in the province on Tuesday.

With maximum temperature of 48.5°C, Mohenjo Daro was the hottest area in the province followed by Jacobabad (48°C), Khairpur (47.2°C), Dadu (47°C), Larkana (46.5°C), Chorr and Shaheed Benazirabad (46°C), Rohri (45.5°C), Sakrand, Sukkur, Padidan, Hyderabad and Mithi (45°C).

The maximum temperature in Mirpurkhas and Tandojam was 44°C, Badin (43°C) and Thatta (40°C).

According to the Met Office, the heatwave will get intense gradually, particularly in the upper and central parts of Sindh, due to the prevailing high pressure area in the upper atmosphere.

Karachi sizzles at 40°C

The Met Office said the maximum temperature in Karachi on Tuesday was 40°C with 60 per cent humidity.

“Due to high humidity, the feel-like temperature was around 42 degrees Celsius,” said Chief Meteorologist Dr S.Sarfaraz.

He said that the heatwave would get intense and might attain its peak on Thursday (tomorrow).

According to the Met Office, Karachi would remain hot and humid over the next two days with maximum temperature ranging between 37-39°C with 40-50pc humidity in the evening and 70-80pc humidity in the morning.

The maximum temperature in upper and central parts of Sindh is likely to range between 6-8°C and 4-6°C above normal. Whereas in lower Sindh, the maximum temperature is expected to be between 2-4°C above normal till May 27.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2024