ISLAMABAD
\nAs almost 26 districts of the country swelter in the oppressive heat that has gripped the country since May 21, the climate change ministry said on Thursday the first wave will last until May 30, followed by two more separate heatwaves in June, blaming unsustainable environmental practices and deforestation for the extreme weather conditions.
\nAddressing a press conference along with senior officials from the National Disa\u00adster Management Authority (NDMA), Romina Khurshid Alam, the PM\u2019s coordinator on climate change, called upon the federal and provincial government departments to mobilise available reso\u00adurces to protect citizens, particularly children and the elderly, from the sweltering heat.
\nCiting data from the Pakis\u00adtan Meteorological Depart\u00adment, Romina Alam noted that temperatures across most regions were currently 5 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal. She revealed that 26 districts in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan were experiencing severe heatwave conditions, which were expected to persist in three waves throughout the summer.
\nThe first wave, ongoing from May 22-30, would be followed by additional waves in early and late June. As per the state-run APP, she said the second heatwave would be from June 7-8 and the third wave would be during the last week of June.
\n\u201cThe country is facing a severe heatwave, and this is just the beginning,\u201d she stated, adding, \u201cHigh atmospheric pressure is exacerbating these conditions, adversely affecting the socio-economic activities of our people.\u201d
\nJoined by NDMA\u2019s Mem\u00adber for Disaster Risk Reduction Idrees Mahsud, and technical expert Dr Tayyab, the PM\u2019s aide emphasised the importance of comprehensive guidelines and early warnings that had been disseminated to prevent heatwave-related casualties, akin to those during the deadly 2015 heat wave, which had claimed nearly 2,500 lives.
\nMs Alam stressed that heat waves were predominantly a human-caused crisis, exacerbated by deforestation and other unsustainable environmental practices. \u201cGlobal warming is impacting the entire world, and we are seeing its effects in the form of these frequent and intense heat waves,\u201d she explained. \u201cPublic awareness campaigns through various media outlets are ongoing to educate people on the health risks and preventive measures.\u201d
\nUrging swift measures to prevent heat wave casualties, she urged the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, especially vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with serious health conditions. The NDMA was actively working on early warnings and coordinating with provincial departments to manage natural disasters and calamities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD As almost 26 districts of the country swelter in the oppressive heat that has gripped the country since May 21, the climate change ministry said on Thursday the first wave will last until May 30, followed by two more separate heatwaves in June, blaming unsustainable environmental practices and deforestation for the extreme weather conditions. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":409066,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-409093","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n