PDMA warns of heatwave in Punjab from today

LAHORE: Punjab's Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Wednesday warned of an increased temperature resulting in a heatwave in the province from today.

As per PDMA, the mercury is likely to soar by three to five degrees Celsius from May 8 to May 10. Furthermore, the province is also expected to witness thunderstorms and heavy rains during the ongoing week.

"South Punjab is likely to receive heavy rains from May 10 to 11," the government body said in a statement adding that most districts of Punjab are expected to experience thunderstorms.

Advising the public to be cautious in light of the expected heatwave and heavy rains, the PDMA Director General Irfan Kathia said that the thunderstorms pose a threat to various crops across the province.

"The district administrations across Punjab have been informed about the weather situation," the official added.

PDMA's warning comes after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), on Tuesday, predicted that Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Pakpattan and Sahiwal will witness rain-duststorm/thunderstorm from May 10 to 12.

Whereas, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Kot Addu, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar are likely to receive downpours on May 10 and 11, the Met Office added.