Islamabad: Mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, while very hot in Punjab and upper Sindh during the next twelve hours.

However, light rain-wind/thunderstorms may occur at a few places in Potohar region, Upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.   

Temperature of some major cities recorded this morning:            

Islamabad twenty-four degree centigrade, Lahore twenty-eight, Karachi twenty-nine, Peshawar twenty-six, Quetta and Muzaffarabad twenty, Gilgit fifteen and Murree thirteen degree centigrade.        

According to Met office forecast for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, partly cloudy with chances of rain-wind-thunderstorm is expected in Srinagar, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Baramulla and hot and dry in Jammu while cloudy with chances of rain-wind-thunderstorm in Leh.

Temperature recorded this morning: 

Srinagar and  Pulwama fourteen, Jammu twenty-five, Leh ten, Anantnag and Baramulla thirteen, and Shopian twelve degree centigrade. 

On the other hand, Pakistan Meteorological Department on Thursday predicted that the heatwave conditions are likely to return over central and upper Sindh from 27 May.

Daytime maximum temperatures may rise again to 46 – 48 degree Celsius in Dadu, Jacobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Nawabshah, and Khairpur districts. While, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, and Umerkot districts are likely to experience maximum temperature between 44-46 Celsius and Badin 40 – 42 degree Celsius.

Karachi is experiencing hot, humid and windy weather with maximum temperature remains between 34-36 degree Celsius, according to the Met Office. The wind direction will be westerly or southwesterly today.

An earlier spell of severe hot weather persisted in the province till 23rd May.

Here are some ways to stay cool during the heatwave:

• Don’t go out between 12pm and 3pm when the sun is the strongest
• Wear loose-fitting and lightweight clothing
• Wear sunscreen and stay in the shade
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Cover your head (wear a scarf or cap)
• Use lip balm and eye drops to make sure your lips and eyes don’t get too dry

Here are the symptoms of a heat stroke you should watch out for:

• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Lack of sweating despite the heat
• Red, hot, and dry skin
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness
• If you experience these symptoms, you should visit a hospital.

Lahore: Following the hike in prices of petroleum products, the prices of 20kg and 10kg flour bags have increased by Rs180 and Rs90 to reach Rs980 and Rs490 respectively.

A notification has also been issued for an increase in the flour prices at utility stores.

According to the notification, the price of 20kg flour bag will be Rs980 after an increase of Rs180.

Similarly, the price of 10kg flour bag will be Rs490 after an increase of Rs90 as per the government’s notification.

The regional accounts officers have been directed in the notification to personally visit warehouses to ensure price change.

Directions have also been issued for preparing a report on flour stock at utility stores and warehouses.

American actor Ray Liotta, 67, who starred in the 1990 blockbuster crime film "Goodfellas," died in his sleep on Thursday in the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Republic General Directorate of Cinema confirmed to Reuters.

Liotta died in bed at a hotel where he was staying with his fiancée Jacy Nittolo while filming "Dangerous Waters," said his publicist Jennifer Allen. He had a leading role in the film about a sailing holiday that goes awry when family secrets are revealed.

A cause of death was not specified, cinema officials said. According to media reports, an emergency service team had entered the hotel. His body was transferred to the forensic institute of Santo Domingo.

Liotta was born Dec. 18, 1954, in Newark, New Jersey. His many starring roles included playing mobster Henry Hill in "Goodfellas" and baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson in "Field of Dreams." He is also known for films including "The Many Saints of Newark" and "Something Wild."

He leaves behind a daughter, Karsen Liotta, 23.

SOURCE: REUTERS