LAHORE / KARACHI, June 9: A punishing heatwave swept across the country and pushed the mercury to 51 degrees centigrade in at least three cities, making Saturday one of the hottest days of the year.

Lahore sizzled at 48 degrees centigrade — a “feat” accomplished after 78 years. Islamabad was exceptionally warm at 43.5 degrees centigrade. Karachi fared a little better at 36.5 degrees centigrade, but high humidity (65 per cent), gusty winds and long-drawn spells of load-shedding caused outbreaks of power riots across the city.

Sibi, Mianwali and Larkana bore the brunt of the heatwave where the mercury rose to 51 degrees centigrade, according to the data put out by the Met Office.

The director-general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Dr Qamaruzzaman Chaudhry, had little good news for those sweltering in oppressive heat in the country when he said that the current weather pattern would persist for four to five days.

He told Dawn that pre-monsoon showers were expected in the upper parts of the country late this month.