By Shabinda Farzeen
February has always been a winter month in Peshawar. At this time of year, mornings are usually cool, afternoons are cozy, and evenings still call for a light sweater or shawl. Sitting in gentle sunlight is enjoyable. Even at night, people still use heaters. Usually, winter bids goodbye slowly.
But everything feels different this year. The midday sun feels bright and powerful. Sweating starts after 15 to 20 minutes of standing outside. It’s warm and dry outside. Even the air conditioning in BRT buses have already been turned on. This is exceptional for February. Many people are surprised by how swiftly winter seems to have ended.
And it’s not just Peshawar where this is occurring. There are also more warm days than anticipated in other Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cities, including as Dera Ismail Khan, Charsadda, Nowshera, and Mardan. The nights aren’t as chilly as they were. It feels like winter is shorter this year.
This may seem like a little adjustment, but it shouldn’t be underestimated. The weather always fluctuates. Certain years are warmer than others. But the general trend is obvious, according to experts: the Earth is warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change claims that South Asia is among the areas where world average temperatures are rising more quickly. Despite contributing only a small portion of global carbon emissions, Pakistan is one of the nations most at risk from climate change.
A single warm February doesn’t cause climate change on its own. But when warm winters occur repeatedly, they join a larger trend. Many people have noticed that summers are getting longer and winters are getting shorter during the last several years. Heat waves are beginning earlier than they used to.
The early heat is already having an impact on daily life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Construction workers, traffic cops, street vendors, and rickshaw drivers are among the outdoor workers who experience fatigue more quickly during the day. It gets tougher to work in the sun. Customers are already requesting summer clothing and fans, according to shopkeepers. Children spend hours in school buildings that aren’t typically equipped for early heat, which worries parents.
Comfort is not the only effect. Resources are also a factor. Electricity use increases earlier when temperatures rise earlier. Air conditioners and fans begin operating weeks ahead of schedule. The power supply system gets harder as a result. Load shedding may occur more frequently if demand rises abruptly.
Warmer weather increases water use as well. Water levels in underground reserves and dams may drop if winter rainfall is minimal. Shortages may arise in the upcoming months as a result. Additionally, farmers rely on stable weather patterns. There are specific temperature ranges where crops like wheat thrive. Crop growth may be impacted by an early rise in temperature, which could result in lower output.
The cities themselves are warming as well. More roads, buildings, and concrete structures are being constructed as Peshawar grows. Open places and trees are decreasing. Heat is absorbed by asphalt and concrete throughout the day and released gradually at night. Cities become warmer as a result than neighboring rural areas. The “urban heat effect” is a common name for this phenomenon. Cities naturally get hotter over time if there is insufficient planning and a lack of green space.
Preparation is the key issue. April and May could be much hotter than February. Extended summers result in long periods of high water use, electrical demand, and health concerns. The early seasonal changes must be taken seriously by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
Climate adaptation shouldn’t be limited to official records. There are practical steps to do. In cities, more trees must be planted and safeguarded. Construction projects should not remove green belts. Enhancing water management systems is necessary to avoid shortages during the hottest summer months.
Schools and hospitals are examples of public facilities that require improved cooling systems. Additionally, authorities should launch heat safety awareness campaigns. People should be made aware of the warning symptoms of heat exhaustion, how to stay hydrated, and how to avoid direct sunlight during peak hours.
When it comes to international meetings, climate change frequently seems like a far-off topic. In reality, its impacts are personal and local. Everyday habits are affected by it. The early warmth of February might not seem like much, yet it conveys a significant message. Seasons are changing. The province cannot afford to overlook early warning indicators. In recent years, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has already been hit by floods, intense heat waves, and uncommon weather. These incidents demonstrate the existence of climatic hazards. It’s not a good idea to wait until it gets too hot. It is always preferable to plan ahead rather than respond after harm has been done.
This February’s warm weather should promote critical thinking. To get ready for longer and hotter summers, communities, local governments, and federal departments must collaborate. Instead of being an afterthought, climate stability needs to be part of development planning. Because climate change does not always happen suddenly. Sometimes, it comes in through a February afternoon that feels more like summer. We also need to adjust our response when the seasons start to shift in time.
