LAHORE: In anticipation of looming severe heatwaves set to envelop much of the country over the forthcoming 10-day period, the Punjab government announced on Friday a reduction in the operating hours for all public and private schools from May 18 to May 31.
According to forecasts from the Meteorological Department, heightened atmospheric pressure is expected to trigger heatwave conditions across significant swathes of the country, particularly in Punjab and Sindh, starting from May 21, with a severe heatwave anticipated from May 23 to 27.
During this period, daytime temperatures are projected to soar “4 to 6 degrees centigrade above normal” in Sindh and Punjab from May 21 to 23, and further elevate to six to 8°C above normal from May 23 to 27.
In light of these warnings, people have been cautioned to minimize direct exposure to sunlight and to stay adequately hydrated.
Consequently, a directive issued by the Punjab government’s school education department outlined revised operational hours for schools across the province, effective from May 18 to May 31. Schools will operate from 7 am to 11:30 am on Mondays to Thursdays and Saturdays, and from 7 am to 10 am on Fridays.
