Pakistan’s heatwaves: A new normal in a warming South Asia

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Abdul Aleem Ch & Dr. Farrukh A. Chishtie

In recent years, Pakistan has witnessed an alarming rise in the intensity, frequency, and duration of heatwaves. April 2025 was no exception. With repeated heat warnings across Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan and temperatures exceeding 47°C in some cities, Pakistan is confronting an escalating public health and climate crisis. Is this the new normal or is it a warning sign of worse to come?

During the first two weeks of April, the Pakistan Meteorological Department issued five separate heatwave alerts just for central and southern Punjab (Pakistan Meteorological Department, April 2025). Major cities like Multan, Bahawalpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan recorded temperatures 6–8°C above the seasonal average. Lahore endured blazing days and hot nights, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses. Cities in Sindh, including Jacobabad and Larkana, saw temperatures surpassing 47°C.

Even the Makran coast in Balochistan and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced anomalously high temperatures. Emergency measures included school closures and urgent advisories to the public.

Scientific drivers behind the heat

Heatwaves in South Asia are now driven by global and regional climate phenomena. Anthropogenic climate change has increased the frequency and magnitude of heat events, notably making the 2022 India-Pakistan heatwave 30 times more likely, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO, 2022). Additionally, a double jet stream trap creates stagnant atmospheric zones, preventing heat dispersion—a condition observed during April 2022 and likely again in 2025, as reported by researchers Singh and colleagues in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science (Singh et al., 2024). Another critical factor, wet-bulb temperature exceedance, combines heat and humidity, severely restricting human cooling capabilities, with levels above 35°C considered potentially fatal, as detailed in Communications Earth & Environment (Hasan et al., 2024).

These scientific mechanisms indicate that Pakistan’s heatwaves are no longer random anomalies but symptoms of a larger atmospheric shift.

Comparative view: Pakistan vs. India

Both Pakistan and India lie within one of the most heat-exposed regions globally. However, India’s stronger institutional response offers lessons for Pakistan.

When responding to climate-induced disasters, India has demonstrated a more proactive and structured approach, notably through localized Heat Action Plans (HAPs). Beginning with Ahmedabad in 2013, India expanded its approach to multiple cities and states, incorporating early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, and heat-resilient infrastructure, as highlighted by the Natural Resources Defense Council in its Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan case study (NRDC, 2020). Pakistan's efforts remain fragmented and largely reactive, with limited pilot programs.

Given the shared geographic and climatic realities, Pakistan must accelerate its climate preparedness by learning from regional models. Cross-border knowledge exchange, technical cooperation, and localized adaptation planning can help Pakistan build resilience before heatwaves become annual humanitarian crises.

Towards peaceful coexistence through climate and health collaboration

Increased cooperation and collaboration between India and Pakistan on climate, health, and environmental issues mark a significant shift toward peaceful coexistence. Recent bilateral engagements, including joint climate research initiatives, cross-border health emergency protocols, and environmental policy dialogues, are laying a robust foundation for regional stability and sustainability. Recognizing the mutual threats posed by climate change, both nations are beginning to prioritize shared interests over historical differences, setting a positive precedent for regional cooperation.