By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD -  Pakistan is enduring an intense heatwave, with temperatures climbing to as high as 48-49 degrees Celsius in parts of the country, forcing residents to seek relief in canals, rivers and streams while reports from several areas indicate that hundreds of birds have died due to the extreme heat.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), maximum temperatures on Tuesday reached 46-48°C in Sibbi and 47-49°C in Nokkundi in Balochistan, making them among the hottest places in the country. Temperatures of 44-46°C were also forecast for Sargodha, Dadu, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan, while Peshawar, Chilas and several cities in Punjab were expected to exceed 42°C.

The scorching conditions have disrupted daily life across the plains of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Videos circulating on social media showed people, particularly young men and children, gathering in canals, rivers and irrigation channels to escape the oppressive heat.

Authorities and wildlife observers also reported incidents of birds collapsing from dehydration and heat stress in several districts, highlighting the growing impact of extreme temperatures on wildlife as well as humans.

Major cities including Lahore are expected to record 41-43°C, Islamabad and Rawalpindi 39-41°C, Karachi 33-35°C, Peshawar 42-44°C, Sargodha 44-46°C, and Quetta 40-42°C through Wednesday.

The Meteorological Department said the ongoing hot spell is expected to ease gradually as a westerly weather system enters the upper parts of Pakistan from Tuesday evening. Moisture from the Arabian Sea is already affecting eastern and central regions, while additional moisture from the Bay of Bengal is expected to arrive from July 2.

Under the influence of the new weather system, scattered rain, thunderstorms and isolated heavy downpours are forecast across much of the country.

From July 1 to July 6, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and the Neelum Valley.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts including Chitral, Swat, Dir, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan are likely to receive widespread showers and thunderstorms through July 5.

Across Punjab, rainfall is forecast from July 1 to July 6 for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad and surrounding districts, with southern Punjab expected to receive rain between July 3 and July 5.

Rain and thunderstorms are also expected in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, northeastern Balochistan, and northern Sindh, including Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu and Jacobabad.

The PMD warned that strong winds and lightning could damage weak structures, electricity poles, billboards and solar panels. Heavy rainfall may trigger urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal, while flash floods and landslides remain possible in mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

The department advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable mountainous areas during the forecast period and urged farmers to protect crops and livestock from severe weather.

Officials said the incoming rain-bearing system is expected to bring significant relief from the ongoing heatwave, with the prevailing hot and humid conditions gradually subsiding across much of the country during the first week of July.