Punjab focuses on Eidgahs, cattle markets amid looming heatwave

The Punjab Health Department has been put on high alert amid intense heatwave predictions for Eid-ul-Azha 2026 holidays. According to the latest weather advisory issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), heatwave conditions are expected across Punjab throughout the holiday period. Temperatures in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Lahore, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Kasur and Faisalabad are expected to remain 5°C to 7°C above normal, with daytime highs likely reaching between 42°C and 45°C. Meanwhile, temperatures in Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Sargodha, Joharabad, Khushab, Mianwali, Noor Pur Thal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Sahiwal may stay 4°C to 6°C above normal and could climb as high as 47°C to 50°C. Authorities warned that the severe weather may adversely affect public health, agriculture, water resources and socio-economic activities across the province. In response, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has suggested that health department officials and other concerned authorities strengthen preparedness measures, improve resource mobilisation and ensure institutional readiness at all levels. The health secretary has been advised to suspend leave for healthcare workers during high-risk periods and ensure the availability of medical staff. Hospitals and healthcare centres have also been instructed to display heatstroke prevention guidelines, establish dedicated counters for heatstroke patients and maintain adequate stocks of medicines, oral rehydration salts (ORS) and cooling facilities. Authorities have been asked to deploy mobile and stationary health units at public gathering points, while outreach vehicles should carry visible emergency instructions. For cattle markets set up for Eid-ul-Azha, officials have been directed to ensure the availability of drinking water for both people and an