Another day in Karachi began with intense heat on Wednesday with the Met Department forecasting the mercury to rise upto 40 degrees Celsius late in the day.
The residents of Karachi may face heatwave-like conditions for the next two days, as the city will experience a hot and humid morning, according to the Met.
An earlier forecast about rains has been altered.
According to the Met Department, temperature on Wednesday late was 31 degrees Celsius, with a heat index of 38 degrees and 74% humidity.
The Met Department has recorded a minimum temperature of 30.7 degrees Celsius this elary morning, with winds blowing at a speed of 9 kilometers per hour from the southwest direction.
According to the Met Department, there is a possibility of a gradual decrease in temperatures in the city over the next two days.
The Met Department has also stated that monsoon winds are expected to enter the country from today, and under their influence, Karachi can expect rainfall from June 28 to July 1. Additionally, the air quality index indicates that the air quality in Karachi has improved.
The intense heat has started to take its toll in Karachi, with 22 heat stroke victims being shifted to hospitals.
According to the air quality index, Karachi is the 10 most polluted city in the world, and it has now become the 5 most polluted city in Pakistan.
The concentration of pollutants in the air has been recorded at 88 particulate meters.As a severe heatwave grips Karachi, the Sindh government has taken steps to mitigate its impact by establishing 77 heatwave centers and camps across the city.
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The locations of these centers have been strategically chosen to ensure accessibility for residents in various neighborhoods. For instance, in the Civil Lines and Garden sub-divisions, 3 centers have been set up, while in Saddar and Aram Bagh, 2 centers each have been established.
Similarly, other areas like Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Ferozabad, Jamshed Quarters, and Gulzar Hijri have also received multiple heatwave centers.
However, amidst these efforts to combat the heatwave, Karachi residents are facing another challenge: unannounced power outages. In areas like Safoora and Scheme 33, residents have been suffering power cuts lasting up to 3 hours, adding to their discomfort during the scorching weather. This has led to protests and demonstrations, with residents expressing their frustration with K-Electric, the city’s power utility provider.
The protesters claim that the power outages, both announced and unannounced, have exceeded their tolerance.
They point out that the prolonged power cuts, lasting from 12 to 16 hours in some cases, have left women, children, and the elderly particularly vulnerable to the heat.
They also criticize K-Electric for its outdated infrastructure and poor maintenance, which they believe contribute to the frequent power outages.
The situation has become so dire that residents of Safoora and surrounding areas have taken to the streets, blocking roads and setting fires in protest.
They demand immediate restoration of power and vow to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met.
This situation highlights the dual challenge Karachi faces: battling the extreme heat while also dealing with the inadequate and unreliable power supply.
The Sindh government’s initiative to establish heatwave centers is a positive step, but addressing the issue of power outages remains crucial to alleviate the suffering of the city’s residents.
