What happened
A severe heatwave continued to grip large parts of Pakistan on Wednesday 8 July 2026, with the heat index reaching dangerous levels in several cities because of a combination of high temperatures, humidity and weak winds, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Emra News reported.
The PMD said residents in Sibi, Bahawalpur, Dera Ismail Khan, Dadu, Sargodha, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Sialkot, Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi experienced extreme heat and oppressive humidity. Earlier in the season, Dadu recorded a new national high of 51.5 degrees Celsius, and the PMD warned of a heatwave from 7 to 12 June.
The highest readings
Sibi recorded an actual temperature of 42°C, but high humidity pushed the heat index, or “feels like” temperature, to 68.2°C, the highest reported in the country.
Other cities also recorded dangerously high heat index values: Bahawalnagar 42°C with a perceived temperature of 56.7°C; Dera Ismail Khan 41°C and 55.8°C; Dadu 43°C and 55.8°C; Sargodha 40°C and 52.7°C; Hyderabad 39°C and 51.6°C; Sukkur 40°C and 51.3°C; and Sheikhupura 37°C and 50.8°C.
Faisalabad recorded 40°C with a heat index of 49.5°C, Peshawar 40.5°C and 49°C, and Bahawalpur 40°C and 48.3°C. Sialkot recorded 35.5°C but humidity pushed the heat index to 45.6°C, Islamabad 36.5°C with a feels-like temperature of 44.4°C, Lahore 35.5°C and 41.9°C, and Karachi 34°C and 41.8°C.
Why it matters
Weather experts said elevated humidity and light winds were significantly increasing the heat index, making conditions feel much hotter than the actual air temperature and raising the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Authorities advised the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during peak daytime hours, to stay well hydrated, to wear loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing, and to ensure that children, elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are protected from prolonged exposure to the heat.
The temperature and heat index figures are those reported by the cited source and attributed to the PMD. They were reviewed on 2026-07-08.
