LAHORE: The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Thursday alerted about the continuation of heatwave in the province and the temperature was expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius by the end of the month.

The climate change is a pressing realityfor Pakistan and it is directly impacting millions of lives. Heatwaves, intensified by climate change, are becoming more frequent, prolonged and severe, disproportionately affecting communities with limited resources to adapt.

A PDMA spokesperson saidthe heatwave would be intensified in districts of south Punjab including Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan.

A day ago, mercury had reached 44°C in Bahawalnagar, 42°C in Rahim Yar Khan, and 41°C in Kot Addu.

Temperatures of around 40°C were recorded in Lahore, Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Okara, Multan, Mandi Bahauddin, Khanewal, Kasur, Layyah, Jhang, Hafizabad and Faisalabad.

As the heatwave started in the province, the water in Tobas of Cholistan dried up.

Thousands of the Cholistani people had to leave their housesand migrate to the urban centres in Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar districts.

However, the PDMA and district administration announced to ensure water supply in Cholistan both for cattle and humans. The PDMA also directed the district administrations of the province to set up heatwave counters in all hospitals.

Punjab PDMA directed that the supply of relevant medicines to prevent heat stroke is ensured. Citizens are being informed about the dangers of heatwave through the media.

`The public is requested to take precautionary measuresand to especially take care of children, elderly and the sick, who are more vulnerable to the effects of a heatwave,` PDMA said.

The authority advised the citizens to avoid exertion and exercise outdoors. It also recommended not to leave the house unnecessarily and wear light-coloured cotton clothes.

Earlier in the month, the PDMA had warned that south Punjab districts are at risk of a severe heatwave in the coming days, with temperatures rising by 4-7°C in the region.

Schools across Punjab had also been advised to alter working hours or declare early summer holidays if excessive heat persisted.

An advisory by the PDMA recommended that schools should alter working hours or declare early summer holidays if excessive heat persists, and all outdoor sports and activities should be suspended immediately.

It added that schools must ensure uninterrupted availability of clean, cold drinking water and maintain functional ventilation, fans, and cooling systems, while students should wear loose, light-coloured clothing. It added that schools must also set up first-aid counters with staff trained in heatrelated emergencies.