PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Thursday issued an alert to all district administrations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning of a significant increase in heat intensity across the plains from May 8 to 10.
According to the PDMA, daytime temperatures in southern districts—including D.I. Khan, Tank, Bannu, Karak, and Lakki Marwat—are expected to soar between 43°C and 47°C. Meanwhile, central regions such as Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Haripur, and Kohat are likely to experience temperatures between 39°C and 43°C.
In anticipation of the heatwave, the PDMA has directed concerned institutions to immediately establish heatstroke centres, cooling points, and mobile cooling units. Rescue 1122 and the fire brigade have been ordered to remain on standby for any emergencies, while hospitals must ensure that medical staff and facilities are fully active and prepared.
The authority also warned that the intense heat and dry conditions could lead to dust storms, strong winds, and increased water pressure on reservoirs, while also accelerating snow melting in the province’s upper regions.
The PDMA statement noted that public safety remains a top priority, with the PDMA instructing citizens to avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight, particularly between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, for the elderly and children. Individuals are urged to increase their water consumption, and farmers have been specifically advised to exercise caution during crop harvesting and take extra care of their livestock.
All relevant agencies, including health services and paramedics, have been told to maintain high alertness and keep the public informed through ongoing awareness campaigns to mitigate the risks associated with the extreme weather.
