The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has issued a warning about a severe heatwave expected to persist across Afghanistan through Saturday, 5 July.

In its latest advisory, the FAO urged residents to stay hydrated and to limit outdoor activities, particularly in the agriculture and construction sectors, during the period of extreme heat.

In a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday, 1 July, the organisation again called on the public to take extra precautions, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the sick, pregnant women and children.

The FAO also advised the public to protect livestock by keeping them in shaded areas and ensuring they have access to sufficient water.

Earlier, the organisation warned that temperatures could exceed 45°C in parts of the country, particularly in the southern, eastern and northern regions.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has also noted that climate change is contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves across South and Central Asia.