Over the past few days, India and Pakistan have been in the throes of a heatwave unprecedented at this time of the year and could register temperatures of up to 50°C in some areas, according to the Dutch website Weeronline.
This week, both countries experienced temperatures exceeding 40°C, Belga News Agency reports.
The region is no stranger to extreme weather, but average highs of 45°C are rare for late April. The Indian meteorological service had already indicated that March had beaten previous heat records.
The extreme weather, which has consequences for both humans and nature, is often accompanied by a series of measures in densely populated areas, such as power cuts. Its impact on harvests could lead to forest fires while the heat could cause Himalayan glaciers to melt earlier than usual, so the authorities are bracing for the resulting floods.
The heat wave is scheduled to continue next week, although highs of 50°C are unlikely. Current forecasts are in the range of 44°C for the city of Multan in Central Pakistan, for example.
The weather will be slightly cooler at night, with lows around 30°C.
