PESHAWAR: A severe heatwave has gripped Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with the heat index reaching 51 degrees Celsius in Dera Ismail Khan on Monday. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain between 43 C and 45 C across the province's central plains, including Peshawar, in the coming days.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said hot and dry conditions are expected to persist over the next few days before easing with the arrival of monsoon rains later this week.
Senior meteorologist Mushtaq Ali Shah said the heatwave is being driven by a high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere.
“High-pressure systems trap hot, dry air over the region and prevent cooler air from entering,” Shah told Pakistan TV Digital. “The descending air compresses and raises surface temperatures, resulting in prolonged heatwave conditions.”
Southern districts, including Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat and Karak, are also expected to record temperatures around 44 C.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned that the prevailing conditions increase the risk of heatstroke and dehydration.
PDMA spokesperson Anwar Shehzad urged people to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., stay hydrated and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
The authority has directed district administrations to establish heatstroke centers and mobile cooling stations in busy public areas, including markets and major roads.
The ongoing heatwave comes days after the PDMA issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood advisory for northern districts, warning that rising temperatures could accelerate glacial melting, increase river flows and raise the risk of flooding.
KP has experienced several extreme weather events in recent months. Heavy rains in March triggered flooding that caused casualties and damaged infrastructure, while rain and snowfall in November 2025 blocked roads and isolated several northern communities.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is particularly vulnerable to climate-related hazards because of its diverse terrain, ranging from glaciers in the north to arid regions in the south. It regularly experiences floods, droughts, heatwaves and glacial lake outburst floods.
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