2017 Pakistan heat wave

In April 2017, a severe heat wave with temperatures as high as 51 °C (124 °F) hit Pakistan, especially its southern parts.[2][3] This heat wave broke the old temperature records of many cities in the country for the month of April.[4] Larkana, a city in the southern province of Sindh, experienced the highest maximum temperature of 51.0 °C on 20 April,[5] breaking the previous day's record of 50 °C.[6]

2017 Pakistan heat wave
2017 Pakistan heat wave is located in Pakistan
Karachi 41.5 °C (106.7 °F)
Karachi 41.5 °C (106.7 °F)
Lahore 45 °C (113 °F)
Lahore 45 °C (113 °F)
Larkana 51 °C (124 °F)
Larkana 51 °C (124 °F)
Rahim Yar Khan 47 °C (117 °F)
Rahim Yar Khan 47 °C (117 °F)
Multan 45 °C (113 °F)
Multan 45 °C (113 °F)
Nawabshah 44.5 °C (112.1 °F)
Nawabshah 44.5 °C (112.1 °F)
A map marking significantly affected cities
Start dateApril 2017
End dateApril 2017
Losses
DeathsAt least 4 as of 5 May 2017[1]

Affected areas

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In late March 2017, a heatwave engulfed most parts of the Sindh province as Nawabshah and Larkana registered 43 °C.[2]

The severe heat wave turned April 2017 as the hottest April passed during the last two decades. On 17 April, Sukkur recorded 47 °C breaking its earlier record of 46.5 °C on 25 April 2000. The temperature in Multan reached 45.1 °C which broke its previous record during the month of April of 44.7 °C recorded on 19 April 2010. Similarly, Khanpur leveled its previous maximum temperature of 46.5 °C recorded on 27 April 1993. In Faisalabad, maximum temperature reached 44.5 °C compared to its previous maximum temperature of 44 °C recorded on 29 April 2007.[7]

On 19 April, four Pakistani cities witnessed the hottest days of their history in the month of April, including Larkana (50 °C), Moenjo Daro (49 °C), Sibi (49 °C) and Lahore (45 °C).[6] Previously, the maximum temperature recorded in Lahore during April was 44 °C on 18 April 2010.[7] On 20 April, Larkana recorded 51 °C as maximum temperature, while the meteorological office at Moenjodaro Airport recorded the temperature at 50 °C.[5] On 21–22 April, dust storms and light rain over upper parts of the country and in north-east Punjab broke the heat spell but damaged wheat and other crops.[8]

However, most parts of Sindh continued to experience an early summer. On 1 May, Nawabshah and Mithi recorded the maximum temperature of 44.5 °C.[9] On 5 May, the heat wave claimed four lives in Hyderabad which recorded temperature at 45 °C.[1]

Recorded temperatures

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Extreme temperatures started to affect parts of the country from mid-April and peaked on 19–20 April.

Place Temperature Date
Larkana 51.0 °C (123.8 °F) 20 April[5]
Sukkur 47.0 °C (116.6 °F) 17 April[7]
Moenjo Daro 50.0 °C (122.0 °F) 20 April[5]
Karachi 41.5 °C (106.7 °F) 30 April[9]
Lahore 45.0 °C (113.0 °F) 19 April[6]
Nawabshah 44.5 °C (112.1 °F) 1 May[9]
Multan 45.1 °C (113.2 °F) 17 April[7]
Sibi 49.0 °C (120.2 °F) 19 April[6]
Rahimyar Khan 47.0 °C (116.6 °F) 17 April[7]
Khanpur 46.5 °C (115.7 °F) 17 April[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Heat wave claims four lives in Hyderabad". Pakistan Observer. Associated Press of Pakistan. 5 May 2017. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Severe heatwave engulfs most parts of Sindh". Pakistan Today. Associated Press of Pakistan. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Heatwave builds across northern India and Pakistan". Al Jazeera English. 15 April 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  4. ^ Pakistan Meteorological Department
  5. ^ a b c d "Heatwave continues in Larkana". The Nation (Pakistan). Associated Press of Pakistan. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d Bhatti, M. Waqar (20 April 2017). "Larkana's temperature touches 50°C". The News International. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Raza, Ali (18 April 2017). "Lahore baking in hottest April since 1993". The News International. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  8. ^ Hanif, Intikhab (23 April 2017). "Dust storms break heat spell but damage crops". Dawn. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  9. ^ a b c "Mercury shoots up to 44.5°C in Nawabshah, Mithi". Dawn. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.