Dangerous heat index grips Pakistan as humidity pushes ‘feels like’ temperatures above 68°C
- Sibi records the country’s highest heat index at 68.2°C despite an actual temperature of 42°C
- High humidity and weak winds make conditions far more dangerous across several cities
- PMD urges people to avoid direct sunlight, stay hydrated and protect vulnerable groups
- Health experts warn of an increased risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke
A severe heatwave continued to affect large parts of Pakistan on Wednesday, with high humidity and light winds driving the heat index to dangerous levels across numerous cities, making temperatures feel significantly hotter than the actual air temperature.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), extreme heat and oppressive humidity were recorded in several areas, including Sibi, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ismail Khan, Dadu, Sargodha, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Sialkot, Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
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Sibi experienced the most severe conditions in the country. Although the city’s actual temperature reached 42°C, the combination of humidity and weak winds pushed the “feels like” temperature, or heat index, to a staggering 68.2°C.
Several other cities also witnessed dangerously high heat index readings. Bahawalnagar recorded an actual temperature of 42°C, while the perceived temperature surged to 56.7°C. Dera Ismail Khan registered 41°C with a heat index of 55.8°C, while Dadu recorded the highest actual temperature of 43°C, with the heat index also climbing to 55.8°C.
In Sargodha, the mercury reached 40°C, but residents experienced conditions equivalent to 52.7°C. Hyderabad recorded 39°C with a heat index of 51.6°C, while Sukkur registered 40°C with a perceived temperature of 51.3°C. Sheikhupura recorded 37°C, yet humidity pushed the heat index to 50.8°C.
Faisalabad reported an actual temperature of 40°C and a heat index of 49.5°C. Peshawar reached 40.5°C, with conditions feeling closer to 49°C, while Bahawalpur recorded 40°C and a perceived temperature of 48.3°C.
Despite comparatively lower air temperatures, humidity significantly increased discomfort in several cities. Sialkot recorded 35.5°C, but the heat index climbed to 45.6°C. Islamabad registered 36.5°C, with the “feels like” temperature rising to 44.4°C.
Lahore recorded an actual temperature of 35.5°C, while the heat index reached 41.9°C. In Karachi, residents experienced 34°C, but humidity pushed the perceived temperature to 41.8°C.
Weather experts said elevated moisture levels in the air, combined with weak winds, are preventing the body from cooling efficiently through sweating. As a result, the heat index has risen sharply, increasing the likelihood of heat exhaustion, dehydration and heatstroke.
Authorities have advised the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day, drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing, and take extra precautions to protect children, elderly individuals and people with underlying health conditions from prolonged exposure to the extreme heat.
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