In Pakistan, the authorities ordered school closures, postponed exams, and put hospitals on alert as a severe heatwave swept the country, with daytime temperatures likely to exceed 50 degrees Celsius in some areas.

Local media reported that temperatures rising to 8 degrees Celsius above normal levels.

The heatwave follows heavy rains and flash floods that killed more than 100 people a couple of weeks ago, highlighting erratic weather patterns.

It would be the third consecutive year when temperatures breach the 50-degree benchmark, a level that poses immense risk to humans and livestock.