health
‘It’s no longer exceptional’: Karachi struggles under brutal new reality of extreme heat
Experts say the unseasonably hot weather across south Asia shows the impact of the climate crisis
TL;DR
- Millions in Pakistan and India are enduring a prolonged and intense heatwave.
- Temperatures in southern Pakistan have frequently surpassed 44C-46C, while several Indian cities have recorded over 45C.
- Karachi, Pakistan, has experienced record-breaking temperatures, exacerbated by electricity outages and water shortages.
- Health impacts include heat exhaustion, dehydration, diarrhoea, and stomach infections, with a sharp rise in hospital visits, particularly for children.
- Climate experts link these extreme heat events to human-caused climate change, stating they are now three times more probable.
- Urbanization, shrinking tree cover, and unusually warm nights are worsening the urban heat effect in cities like Karachi.
- Average temperatures in the region have risen significantly, with summers becoming longer and harsher.
- Interventions like public cooling centers, water access, medical preparedness, and tree plantation are urgently needed.