ISLAMABAD, June 9: The current heatwave in the country is likely to persist for another four to five days, said the Pakistan Meteorological Department here on Saturday.

Mercury touched 45 degrees centigrade in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, which was the highest in the current summer season.

The temperature in the twin cities has been steadily rising for the last one week and the weather has become hot and sultry like in other parts of the country.

According to data, on June 1 temperature in Islamabad was 39 degrees centigrade and in Rawalpindi 40 degrees. On June 2, it rose to 39 degrees in both the cities, while the following day the temperature was 38 and 39 degrees in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, respectively.

On June 4, the temperature in Islamabad remained unchanged while in Rawalpindi it dropped to 37 degrees due to a light rain.

On June 5 and 6, mercury in Islamabad and Rawalpindi touched 38 and 39 degrees, respectively.

The following day, it went up by three points in Islamabad and two in Rawalpindi touching 41 degrees.

June 8 brought another hottest day, as the mercury touched 43 degrees in Islamabad and 44 degrees in Rawalpindi.

According to the Met Office, most parts of the country were under the grip of the heatwave and due to the condition the day temperatures are expected to be abnormally high.

On Saturday, Larkana recorded maximum temperature of 51 degrees centigrade, breaking the 1996 record of 50 degrees centigrade.

Likewise, Lahore equalled the previous highest of 48 degrees recorded in 1972.