The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (KP PDMA) has directed all deputy commissioners in the province to implement precautionary and emergency measures ahead of a forecasted heatwave starting Friday, May 8.
In an official communication to district administrations, the KP PDMA cautioned that intense heatwave conditions are expected to impact the plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between May 8 and May 10, with significant temperature rises anticipated in multiple districts.
The advisory highlights that daytime temperatures in southern districts such as Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu, Karak, and Lakki Marwat could soar between 43°C and 47°C. Meanwhile, northern and central urban centers including Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Haripur, and Kohat are predicted to experience temperatures ranging from 39°C to 43°C.
Following the peak heat period, a shallow westerly weather system is expected to enter the province by the evening or night of May 10, offering partial relief from the heatwave. This cooler spell is forecast to continue through May 13, particularly in the upper regions.
The PDMA has instructed district administrations to take all necessary precautions to reduce risks to human life, agriculture, and livestock. Public awareness campaigns are also being emphasized to educate citizens on heatwave safety practices.
Authorities have been advised to encourage residents, especially the elderly and children, to avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours. The public is urged to use water judiciously for drinking and cooling and to ensure that individuals with pre-existing health conditions have their medications readily available.
The advisory further stresses the importance of educating people on early signs of heat-related illnesses and the need for prompt medical attention. Health departments, in collaboration with local administrations, are tasked with establishing heatstroke centers, cooling stations, and mobile response units in high-traffic and vulnerable areas. These facilities will be equipped with adequate cooling systems, drinking water, and trained medical personnel to handle emergencies.
Farmers have been advised to modify their agricultural activities the weather conditions and to take protective measures for their livestock. Emergency services have been placed on high alert to respond swiftly to potential fire outbreaks.
This alert follows a nationwide warning issued earlier this week by the Pakistan Meteorological Department, which forecasted severe heatwave conditions across the country. It also comes in the wake of recent extreme temperatures in Karachi, where the mercury exceeded 44°C, resulting in fatalities and prompting emergency responses from disaster management and health authorities nationwide.
