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Karachi Heatwave: Death Toll Rises as City Struggles with Scorching Temperatures
Karachi endures extreme heatwave with temperatures soaring above 40°C, leading to multiple heat-related deaths.
ND
by News Desk
2024-06-27
Karachi Heatwave: Death Toll Rises as City Struggles with Scorching Temperatures

The relentless heatwave in Karachi has claimed more lives, with four more deaths reported on Wednesday due to heatstroke. This brings the total number of heat-related fatalities to 35 over the past four days, according to local officials.

The temperature in Karachi has exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for the fourth consecutive day, creating dangerously hot and humid conditions. Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) confirmed four deaths from heatstroke. Dr. Imran Sarwar G. Sheikh, the emergency department head at CHK, reported that a critically ill heatstroke patient from North Karachi succumbed during treatment, while three others, who appeared to be laborers, were declared dead on arrival.

On Wednesday alone, 63 patients with heatstroke or related illnesses sought treatment at CHK. The Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre treated 37 heatstroke patients, including 12 women, and the Indus Hospital received 13 heatstroke cases.

In addition to the heatstroke deaths, six more bodies were found across Karachi, bringing the total to 35 bodies recovered in the last four days. The Brigade police recovered the body of an unidentified man in Lines Area, while rescue services found five more bodies in various locations.

Conflicting Figures:

The Sindh health department reported eight heat-related deaths in Karachi over a month, mainly among drug addicts or homeless individuals. However, Karachi Commissioner Hasan Naqvi confirmed ten heatstroke deaths on Monday and Tuesday alone. Naqvi stated that eight people died on Monday and two on Tuesday due to the heatwave, with 147 heatstroke cases admitted to hospitals on Tuesday.

Naqvi emphasized that the city’s death rate had slightly increased from the norm and urged K-Electric to avoid load-shedding during the heatwave, especially at night.

Heat Index Reaches Dangerous Levels:

Despite a slight drop in temperature and an evening dust storm, the heat index—how hot it feels when humidity is combined with air temperature—reached an alarming 48-50°C around 2 pm, with a temperature of 39°C and 48% relative humidity.

The Met Office forecasted that Karachi would continue to experience hot and humid conditions, with temperatures ranging between 36-38°C on Thursday. There is a possibility of isolated dust storms or light rain on the city’s outskirts on Friday.

Regional Weather Forecast:

Dust storms and light rain are expected in Jamshoro, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, and Tharparkar on Thursday.

Safety Tips:

Residents are urged to take precautions during the heatwave:

  • Stay indoors and avoid direct sunlight.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Use fans or air conditioning to stay cool.
  • Check on elderly family members and neighbors.

Karachi's citizens must stay vigilant and take necessary measures to stay safe during this extreme weather event.
Tagged:

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HeatStroke

KarachiHeatwave

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