At least 10 people have died in Karachi as a severe heatwave continues to grip Sindh province, pushing temperatures to extreme levels. The intense weather conditions have raised serious concerns about public health and infrastructure in the region.
According to Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Welfare Trust, five bodies were recovered from different parts of the city on Monday. In addition, five more individuals, who showed symptoms of heatstroke, died while undergoing treatment at hospitals. The organisation operates an extensive network of medical services and shelters across the country, and has been actively involved in responding to the crisis.
The city experienced its hottest day since 2018, with temperatures soaring above 44°C, as reported by the Pakistan Meteorological Department. The department had earlier issued a heatwave warning on Saturday for Karachi and several other districts in Sindh, cautioning residents about the impending extreme conditions.
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Meteorologists have categorised the upcoming weather as hot, very hot, and dry, indicating that the current heatwave is likely to persist across much of the province. Reports suggest that these harsh conditions are part of a broader trend of increasingly frequent and intense heat events across South Asia, widely associated with climate change.
Residents of Karachi are also facing additional challenges due to frequent power outages and load shedding, which have made it even harder to cope with the extreme heat. The lack of consistent electricity has disrupted cooling systems and water supply, exacerbating the impact on daily life.
Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Chief Minister of Sindh, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives caused by the heatwave and related factors. He urged citizens to take precautionary measures and advised them to avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary, emphasising the need for collective vigilance during this period of extreme weather.
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