Viral heatwave advisory circulating on WhatsApp issued by Civil Defence department

WHAT HAPPENED

On May 4, 2026, Karachi recorded its highest temperature in eight years at 44.1°C amid an intense heatwave and dry continental winds. At least 10 people reportedly died due to the extreme heat, with most victims unidentified and believed to be drug users.

The city also experienced intense heat and dusty weather on May 13 as temperatures rose to 40.1°C, accompanied by strong southwest winds of up to 24km/h and low humidity. Other cities, including Hyderabad, Sukkur and Mohenjo-Daro, recorded temperatures as high as 45°C.

The Met Office said hot and dry weather is expected to continue across most parts of Sindh in the upcoming days, while some areas around Ghotki may receive thunderstorms.

Since the last week of April, a heatwave advisory, allegedly issued by the ‘Civil Defence Directorate’, has been widely circulating on WhatsApp groups. The document contains precautionary measures and claims that the temperature could rise to 55°C amid the ongoing heatwave.

WHAT WE FOUND

The advisory in question claimed that temperatures could rise from 45°C to 55°C from April 29 to May 12. However, no official forecast issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted temperatures reaching 55°C.

A keyword search led the team to a report by Dawn, dated April 27, which stated that the Met Office had predicted a mild heatwave conditions were likely to develop in the southern parts of the country from April 29 to May 3.

“The observed climate suggests that May and June are the hottest months during the year, while south Punjab, upper Sindh, southern/eastern Balochistan are heat-prone areas of the country, with temperatures sometimes shooting up to 52°C due to heatwave conditions,” the PMD said.

It added that the temperature ranges in these areas were between 43°C and 45°C in May and June.

Similar reports were also run by the Business Recorder, Pakistan Today and Geo News.

The Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also issued an official heatwave alert on April 28, 2026, warning citizens about rising temperatures and precautionary measures. However, the notification did not mention the temperature increasing to 55°C.

The advisory also presented itself as an official guideline issued by the Directorate General of Civil Defence. A review of its website found only general precautionary guidelines on heatwaves, which did not mention temperatures reaching 55°C.

CONCLUSION

It is false to say that the heatwave advisory circulating on WhatsApp was officially issued by the Civil Defence department.

None of the concerned departments predicted temperatures reaching 55°C, and no such advisory was found on the website of the Civil Defence department.

EVIDENCE AND REFERENCES

April 27, Dawn report:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1995508

April 27, Business Recorder report:
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40418468/mild-heatwave-likely-in-southern-pakistan-from-april-29-to-may-3-pmd

April 28, Pakistan Today report:
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/04/28/el-nino-may-develop-in-may-as-pmd-warns-of-heatwave-in-southern-pakistan

April 23, Geo News report:
https://www.geo.tv/latest/661309-severe-heatwave-likely-to-grip-karachi-other-parts-of-country-until-may-5-ndma

Guidelines issued by Civil Defence Directorate:
https://civildefence.gov.pk/awareness/

Heatwave issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh:
https://pdma.gos.pk/Documents/Heatwave/Heatwave_2026/Heatwave Alert - 28th April, 2026.pdf