Due to the ongoing heatwave in Punjab, the provincial government has decided to start summer holidays earlier and cut down school hours. The Punjab School Education Department announced in a notification on Tuesday that schools will close for summer vacation from May 28 instead of June 1. Until then, classes will run from 7:30am to 11:30am.
All schools across Punjab will follow this new schedule. They will reopen on August 15 after the summer break. The Punjab Higher Education Department also said that colleges and universities will begin their summer vacations on May 28.
A spokesperson for the Pakistan Meteorological Department said, “The prevailing heat wave is probably going to last this week.” Lahore recorded a temperature of 42°C on Tuesday. The spokesperson added that high pressure in the upper atmosphere will stay through the week. This will push day temperatures in South Punjab to 4–6°C above normal till May 24. Central and upper Punjab could see temperatures up to 7°C above average.
Due to the extreme heat, dust storms and strong winds may hit some plain areas. The authorities have urged the public—especially children, women, and the elderly—to avoid the sun during peak hours, stay indoors, and drink plenty of water.
Farmers should plan their crop routines based on the weather and take proper care of their animals. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a heatwave alert. Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed directed all commissioners and deputy commissioners to stay alert. He said the education, health, transport, local government, and Rescue 1122 departments must stay prepared as high temperatures will affect major cities and plain areas until May 24.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said local administrations must provide clean drinking water in public places. He also stressed that hospitals and mobile health units should be ready to treat heatstroke patients.
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