Pakistan's Dadu District Hits 124.7°F, Highest Temperature of 2026
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8
Pakistan's Dadu District Hits 124.7°F, Highest Temperature of 2026
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8
Summary
Dadu in southern Pakistan reached 124.7 degrees Fahrenheit, or 51.5 Celsius, on May 28 — the country's highest temperature this year.
By midday, that heat empties fields and stalls: farmers stop work, brick-kiln laborers cluster in shade, and children and buffaloes seek relief in ponds.
Dadu's exposure runs beyond extreme heat, with residents also facing drought, erratic rainfall, water scarcity, sandstorms and the risk of floods from glacial lakes.
Geography leaves the district vulnerable on two fronts: monsoon runoff from the Kirthar mountains and flooding from the Indus River and canal network, even as rains grow less predictable and drought persists.
Is extreme heat the real crisis in Dadu, or is it decades of failed water management?
After seven years of climate aid, why is Pakistan’s Indus Basin still facing record-breaking disasters?
Could Dadu's record heat spark a successful climate lawsuit against the world's biggest polluters?
Pakistan’s 51.5°C Heatwave in May 2026: Unprecedented Regional Impacts and the Race for Climate Adaptation
Overview
In May 2026, South Asia experienced an extraordinary and record-breaking heatwave, with Pakistan at its epicenter. The city of Dadu reached a staggering 51.5°C, setting a national temperature record, while large areas of Sindh and Balochistan also faced temperatures close to 50°C. This extreme event was not isolated, as neighboring India endured similar severe conditions. The heatwave highlighted a troubling trend: Pakistan has seen a rising frequency of heatwaves, floods, and droughts in recent years, making the 2026 crisis a clear sign of the region’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather driven by climate change.