Dadu temperature record falls as Sindh city hits 51.5°C during an intense heatwave that is pushing southern Pakistan to its limits

Pakistan’s heatwave has reached a new extreme. The interior Sindh city of Dadu recorded 51.5°C on Thursday, breaking its own decade-old temperature record. The Pakistan Meteorological Department confirmed that Dadu’s previous peak stood at 51.4°C, set on May 18, 2016. Moreover, Thursday’s reading sat 4.5°C above the city’s typical May average. The Dadu temperature record break signals just how abnormal current conditions across southern Pakistan have become.

The heat did not stop at Dadu. Both Larkana and Jacobabad registered 50.5°C on the same day. Therefore, multiple cities across interior Sindh simultaneously crossed the 50-degree threshold. That kind of widespread extreme heat puts enormous pressure on public health, agriculture, and essential services across the region.

Pakistan has faced relentless heat over the past several weeks. Authorities repeatedly issued heatwave advisories urging the public to stay indoors during peak daytime hours. Furthermore, vulnerable groups including the elderly, outdoor workers, and farming communities face the greatest risk during conditions this severe. Still, for many daily wage earners, staying indoors simply is not an option.

The broken record in Dadu adds to a growing pattern of heat extremes across Pakistan. Temperatures consistently exceeding 50°C in multiple cities during a single week reflect conditions that go beyond seasonal norms. Furthermore, meteorologists have linked such events to broader regional climate shifts that are making extreme heat episodes more frequent and more intense.

Finally, with temperatures already at historic levels and the summer still far from over, Pakistan’s southern cities face weeks of continued pressure. The broken record in Dadu is not just a statistic — it is a warning.