NDMA Warns of Health Risks as Heatwave Tightens Grip
News Desk
Islamabad: As Pakistan braces for an intense spell of extreme weather, authorities are shifting focus from routine forecasting to emergency readiness, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) urging immediate nationwide action to counter a looming climate challenge.
In a fresh advisory issued through its National Emergencies Operation Centre, the NDMA warned that a prolonged and severe heatwave is set to grip large parts of the country, particularly Sindh, southern Punjab, and Balochistan, until early May.
Major cities such as Karachi, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Sukkur are expected to face dangerously high temperatures, raising concerns about public health and infrastructure strain.
Rather than treating the heatwave as an isolated event, officials say the current conditions reflect a broader pattern of “climatic extremes” that had been anticipated months in advance.
The evolving situation has prompted authorities to activate heat response plans, with hospitals on alert and instructions issued for the establishment of cooling centres in vulnerable areas.
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At the same time, a contrasting weather system is set to bring rain, gusty winds, and dust storms to upper and central regions between April 24 and 29. Cities including Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar may experience intermittent thunderstorms, a reminder of the country’s increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
Health risks remain at the forefront of the government’s concerns. Officials warn that rising temperatures could significantly increase cases of heatstroke and dehydration, particularly among outdoor workers and vulnerable populations. Citizens are being advised to limit sun exposure and stay hydrated as part of precautionary measures.
Meanwhile, climate preparedness has also come under scrutiny at the highest level. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the failure of an early warning system in Gilgit-Baltistan, originally installed to mitigate glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) risks. The system’s continued inactivity has raised alarms ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, the prime minister emphasized that institutional lapses in climate response would not be tolerated, calling for urgent improvements in coordination, infrastructure, and disaster readiness.
He also pointed to illegal encroachments along waterways as a key factor behind last year’s flood damages, directing authorities to take preventive action before the rains arrive.
With Pakistan ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, the coming weeks are shaping up as a critical test of both resilience and preparedness, as extreme heat and erratic weather converge to challenge systems across the country.
