KARACHI, Pakistan

Mercury level soared to an unprecedented 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) on Thursday in southwest Pakistan, the highest temperature recorded this year so far, the country's weather agency said. 

Sardar Sarfraz Ahmad, the director general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, told Anadolu that Jacobabad district of southern Sindh province remained the hottest spot on the planet with a whopping 50C.

It was followed by 49.7C (121.47F) in Larkana, 49.5C (121.1F) in Dadu, and 49.3C (120.74) in Khairpur districts.

Pakistan is currently in the grip of a severe heatwave, which is likely to further aggravate in days to come.

Ahmad said the ongoing heatwave is likely to prevail till the first week of June.

The highest-ever temperature recorded in Pakistan is 54C (129.2F), which was logged in the southwestern coastal district of Turbat on May 28, 2017, according to Ahmad.