See the Causes of Over 500 killed in Six Days as Pakistan Faces Intense Heatwave
The southern regions of Pakistan have been gripped by soaring temperatures, resulting in a significant rise in deaths. The Edhi ambulance service, which typically transports 30 to 40 bodies to Karachi’s city morgue daily, reported collecting 568 bodies over the past six days, including 141 on Tuesday alone.
While it’s too early to determine the exact cause of death in all cases, the spike in fatalities coincides with Karachi’s temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F), with humidity making it feel as hot as 49°C. This severe heat has led many to seek medical assistance. Civil Hospital Karachi received 267 patients with heatstroke between Sunday and Wednesday, with 12 succumbing to the heat, according to Dr. Imran Sarwar Sheikh, head of the emergency department.
Most of the affected individuals were in their 60s or 70s, though some were as young as 20. Symptoms reported included vomiting, diarrhea, and high fever. Dr. Sheikh advised staying hydrated and wearing light clothing to cope with the extreme temperatures.
The heatwave, described by meteorologists as a “partial heatwave,” began over the weekend. In response, heatwave centers and camps were established to aid the public. Images have surfaced of children playing in fountains in an attempt to cool down.
Many residents, like Mohammad Imran, struggled to stay cool, with Imran telling Reuters his clothes were drenched in sweat. Not all individuals in need made it to hospitals; for instance, 56-year-old security guard Wasim Ahmed collapsed at home after an exhausting 12-hour shift, ultimately passing away from a suspected heart attack exacerbated by the heat.
Power outages have worsened the situation, cutting off fans and air conditioning that many depend on to stay cool. Muhammad Amin, who experienced constant power cuts, fell ill and died, with his family suspecting heat-related causes.
Karachi is not alone in facing these challenges. Sindh province recently recorded near-record temperatures of 52.2°C. Neighboring India also endures extreme heat, with Delhi experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, pushing temperatures close to 50°C.
Experts attribute these extreme weather conditions to climate change, warning that such events are becoming more frequent and intense. The heatwave in Karachi is expected to persist into the following week, albeit with slightly lower temperatures. Meteorologists are now focusing on the upcoming monsoon season, which is predicted to bring significantly higher rainfall.
