KARACHl: Mercury soared to 47 degrees Celsius or above on Tuesday in at least nine cities as intensely warm weather conditions persisted across the province under the influence of a high pressure area affecting the region.

Shaheed Benazirabad (Nawabshah) once again becomes the hottest place in the country where temperature surged to 49°C, followed by Dadu (48°C); Rohri, Paddidan and Khairpur (47.5°C); Larkana, Sakrand, Sukkur and Mohenjo Daro (47°C); Mirpurkhas, Tandojam and Chhor (45.5°C), Mithi and Hyderabad (45°C); Badin (42°C), Thatta (39.5°C) and Karachi (39.4°C).

The Met Office data indicated that while most of the cities saw the maximum daytime temperature soaring six to eight degrees Celsius above normal on Tuesday, Rohri experienced the highest deviation of 9°C.

According to the department`s advisory, the heatwave gripping most parts of the province is expected to persist till May 2 during which the maximum daytime temperature will remain 6-8°C above normal in the upper and central parts of the province and 3-5°C above in the southern areas.

In Karachi, hot and humid but occasionally windy weather conditions are likely to continue on Wednesday (today) with maximum daytime temperature ranging between 37°C and 39°C.

The department has forecast a westerly wave entering the country from May 1. This weather system is likely to subside the heatwave.