In nearly every corner of Karachi, signs of the scorching heat wave are evident, with the sun relentlessly baking the city. The hospitals are inundated with hundreds of patients suffering from heat-related illnesses daily, surpassing their capacity. Morgues are struggling to accommodate the surge in bodies, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Frustrated residents have resorted to blocking roads with stones and sticks to protest against shortages of electricity and drinking water. The usually bustling markets and streets have emptied as people opt to stay indoors, venturing out only when necessary.
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, is the latest area to bear the brunt of the scorching heat wave sweeping across South Asia this summer. This serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change in a region particularly susceptible to its effects. In Pakistan, ineffective governance and significant economic disparities have exacerbated the plight of the most vulnerable citizens.
During an intense eight-day period late last month, temperatures soared to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), coupled with high humidity, intensifying the suffering. This marked the highest temperatures since 2015, a year when over 1,200 people succumbed to heat-related causes in Karachi.
As temperatures continue to hover around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the city remains in a state of crisis. Residents describe the conditions as akin to “living in a furnace,” with reports of individuals collapsing on the streets due to the extreme heat.
| Image: |
|---|
 |
