The Met department said a well-marked low pressure area in eastern Arabian Sea was likely to intensify into a depression on Wednesday evening or night, leading to the development of a tropical cyclone on Thursday or Friday. – File Photo

LAHORE: The severity of the heat wave now gripping the country reached unbearable levels on Tuesday, especially in Sindh and south Punjab, amid forecasts that an expected tropical cyclone in the Arabian Sea may generate heavy rainfall over coastal areas around Friday.

The maximum temperature crossed the 50 degrees Celsius mark in several cities and towns of Sindh and 45 degrees in south Punjab.

Weather pundits expect the heat wave to continue for two to three days.

The Met department said a well-marked low pressure area in eastern Arabian Sea was likely to intensify into a depression on Wednesday evening or night, leading to the development of a tropical cyclone on Thursday or Friday.

Pakistan Meteorological Department's Director General Arif Mahmood said the temperatures in Sindh had shot up because the depression in the sea had cut the moisture to the province. Dry weather has also led to the rise in temperatures elsewhere in the country.

He said the depression was moving in north-westerly direction.

If it continues to move in the direction, it may generate strong winds and heavy rainfall over coastal areas in Sindh and Balochistan on Friday.

Mr Mahmood, however, said it was premature to say whether the cyclone would directly affect the coastal areas.

He said locally generated duststorm and light rain were likely to break the spell of heat in upper areas of the country, including Islamabad, on Friday.

The abnormally high temperatures may trigger large-scale snow-melting during the week. This can increase the flow of water in the hilly streams and local rivers of Gilgit-Baltistan and Malakand division, especially in the Gilgit, Chitral and Swat rivers, from the mid-week.

The maximum temperature in Jacobabad climbed to 52 degrees, making it the hottest place in the country. The highest-ever temperature of 52.5 degrees was recorded on June 21, 1992.

In Nawabshah the mercury rose to 51 degrees, Dadu 50.4, Sibbi 50.1, Sukkur and Moenjodero 50 and Rohri and Padidan 49 degrees.

Noorpur Thal in south Punjab was the hottest town in the province with a maximum temperature of 48.4 degrees, followed by Dera Ghazi Khan with 48.2 degrees, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar 47.5 degrees and Multan 46.7 degrees.

The maximum temperature in Lahore was 43.2 degrees but 61 per cent humidity in the morning and 27 per cent in the evening made the weather muggy.

Our Correspondent in Nawabshah adds: Dozens of people fainted because of extreme heat. About 150 cases of gastroenteritis and diarrhoea, mostly among children, were reported at health centres in the district. Some cases of heatstroke were also reported. The roads and bazaars gave a deserted look as scorching heat forced people to remain indoors.

Electricity loadshedding of up to 12 hours added to the misery of the people.

In Larkana, the local Met office said only seven per cent humidity was recorded at 5pm.