Karachi Swelters at 44°C as Severe Heatwave Raises Health Alarm

Karachi is in the grip of a severe heatwave with temperatures reaching 44 degrees Celsius on Monday, triggering urgent public health warnings as the city's healthcare system braces for a surge in heat-related illnesses.

Authorities have issued advisories urging residents to avoid direct sun exposure, stay hydrated, and limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours. Hospitals in the city have been placed on alert, with emergency departments reporting an uptick in patients presenting with heat exhaustion and heatstroke symptoms.

The extreme temperatures reflect a broader pattern of intensifying summer heat across Sindh, driven by regional climatic shifts and the urban heat island effect particularly pronounced in Karachi. Meteorological officials have warned that the heatwave is expected to persist for several more days with no significant relief forecast.

Vulnerable populations including the elderly, outdoor labourers, and children face the greatest risk. Civil society groups and local government bodies are being called upon to activate emergency cooling centres and expand water distribution points across the city's most densely populated areas.