Tag: heatwave

  • Met department predicts torrential rains starting next week

    Met department predicts torrential rains starting next week

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted torrential rainfall starting next week, putting an end to the brutal heatwave in most parts of Pakistan.

    As per the latest PMD forecast, a new weather system will develop in the country from Sunday, attracting downpours from the May 16 to May18.

    Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in Islamabad, upper and central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu Kashmir. Following the rain, the PMD predicts that temperatures in these areas will decrease radically.

    In addition, the PMD has directed that the relevant Disaster Management Authorities be on high alert in order to avert loss of life and property throughout the rainfall.

    In other news, the PMD has warned that a severe heatwave will approach Sindh. The extreme heat will extend through May 17th, with daytime temperatures in most regions exceeding usual.

    Read more: Heatwave Alert: All physical activities in Punjab schools suspended

    Daytime highs in upper Sindh will linger between 46°C and 48°C, in central Sindh districts between 43°C and 45°C, and in lower Sindh districts between 38°C and 40°C.

  • Safe to fill up fuel tanks to the max in this heat?

    Safe to fill up fuel tanks to the max in this heat?

    Considering Pakistan’s scorching summer and rising petroleum prices, a claim has been made regarding how much fuel should be topped inside a vehicle.

    According to a viral image being attributed to Pakistan State Oil (PSO), motorists should not fill gasoline to the full capacity of the tank owing to rising temperatures since it may trigger an explosion in the tank. Drivers can fill half of their tank and leave the rest for air.

    Conversely, there has been no official word from the oil company in this regard; however, a similar image went viral years ago when PSO clarified that filling fuel tanks to their full capacity poses no harm to automobiles or passengers.

    The announcement came after a Whatsapp message went viral on the internet in 2018. In view of rising temperatures, the message falsely claimed that PSO had warned the public against filling gasoline tanks to full capacity.

    According to the statement from PSO, the auto-igniting temperature of gasoline is far higher than the peak summer temperatures in Pakistan. Filling a petrol tank to the maximum capacity poses no danger to the automobile or its occupants, and is considered fully safe and advantageous to the vehicle’s operation.

    Read more: CNG prices pushed to Rs140 per kg for sales tax collection

    Also, the idea that filling the vehicle’s gasoline tank to the full capacity will cause an explosion defies scientific logic.

    This is because the auto-ignition temperature for petrol is 495°F (257°C), which is the lowest temperature required to ignite a gas or vapour in air without the presence of a spark or flame. The highest recorded temperature on earth was 56.7°C (134°F), observed on July 10, 1913, at Greenland Ranch, Death Valley, California, USA.

  • Severe heatwave conditions predicted by Met office from Sunday

    Severe heatwave conditions predicted by Met office from Sunday

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasted extreme heatwave conditions across Pakistan for the coming week, warning that high pressure will hold the upper atmosphere starting Sunday, May 8.

    Day temperatures are expected to steadily increase in most parts of the country from Sunday due to this high pressure, as per a notification from PMD.

    The temperature in upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir was expected to hover between 7-9 degrees Celsius beyond average during the day.

    Meanwhile, the daytime temperature of Upper and central Sindh, central and south Punjab and areas of Balochistan will likely experience temperatures between 6-8 degrees Celsius above usual.

    Read more: Pakistan starts oil and gas production from Dhok Sultan DS X-1

    The department also tweeted a warning about the heatwave’s potential effects, stating that extremely hot and dry weather might affect dams, crops, vegetables, and forests.

  • Severe heatwave hits Pakistan

    Severe heatwave hits Pakistan

    The extreme temperature has been recorded in the month of April in Pakistan and India while the temperature of Lahore exceeded over 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

    The severe heatwave has threatened and puts lives of millions of people at risk. In view the imminent temperature, the Pakistani Government has issued a health advisory, asking people to strictly follow precautionary measures to deal with the situation.

    Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said, “A heatwave has hit South Asia with the temperature predicted to soar up to 49-50 degrees C. Precautionary measures must immediately be taken to prevent casualties and injuries from heat.”

    According to the Ministry of Climate Change, this year’s March was the hottest month since 1961.

  • Extreme heatwave across the country to begin this week: Pakistan Meteorological Department

    Extreme heatwave across the country to begin this week: Pakistan Meteorological Department

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a warning on Monday for an extreme heatwave across the country this week, stating that day temperatures in most parts of the country, are likely to remain unusually high due to persistent high pressure in the upper atmosphere. The heatwave is supposed to take over most parts of the country except for Karachi.

    As per the alert issued by PMD. “Day temperatures in Northern Balochistan, Upper Sindh, South Punjab, Kashmir and adjoining areas will remain 09-10°C above normal.”

    “Day temperature in Islamabad, Upper & Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Lower Sindh and South Balochistan will remain 07-08°C above normal.”

    As per a mobile weather application, the temperature in Lahore can rise up to 38 °C, 36 °C in Islamabad, and 33 °C in Peshawar.

    According to the advisory, the country’s dry spell and hot temperatures may cause water stress for standing crops, vegetables, and orchards, and farmers should manage crop water properly.

    “The general public is advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight. Gusty winds are also expected in North Balochistan, South Punjab and Upper Sindh during the period,” the alert read.

  • 25 school children rushed to hospital due to power outage in intense heat

    25 school children rushed to hospital due to power outage in intense heat

    At least 25 children in Islamabad were taken to a nearby hospital after they fainted due to intense heat on Wednesday. 

    As per reports, students of a school in Islamabad’s Bara Kahu area suffered due to the scorching heat and power outage. The nose of the students started bleeding after which their teachers poured water over their heads and took them to a nearby health facility for first aid. 

    Picture Credit: Dunya News

    After the incident, 200 school children were allowed to go home from the Federal Government School due to loadsheding.

    Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy took to Twitter and announced that the power shortfall has increased to 1,500 Mega Watt (MW) and the citizens are requested to use the electricity sensibly.