Heatwave - At least 50 dead in heatwave in Pakistani city
Due to a persistent heatwave, at least 50 people have died in the Pakistani million-city Karachi since the end of the past month. This was confirmed by a police spokesperson of the German Press Agency on Thursday. The largest hospital on site reported dozens of victims. The actual number of deaths could be even higher according to rescue services, in many cases the cause of death is not yet conclusively determined.
Pakistan suffered from an unusually strong heatwave in May, and in the past two weeks, the felt temperature has risen again, especially due to high humidity. According to the meteorological department in the country, the felt temperature on a Wednesday, due to high humidity, reached a record value of 55 degrees. The problem is exacerbated by the cessation of the monsoon breeze, which usually provides relief in the port city in the southern part of the country.
In the coming weeks, during the monsoon season, meteorologists are predicting unusually heavy rainfall events in South Asia. Extreme weather events such as floods and droughts are increasing in Pakistan. Experts attribute this to climate change. In the summer of 2022, Pakistan experienced a severe flood disaster that temporarily set a third of the country under water and cost the lives of 1700 people.
The heatwave that has been affecting Pakistan is particularly severe in its million-city Karachi, leading to the death of at least 50 people as of recent reports from the German Press Agency. The city of Islamabad, also in Pakistan, is also experiencing the heatwave's effects, making the summer months challenging for its residents. Despite the anticipated monsoon season bringing heavy rainfall, experts warn of the potential for further extreme weather events due to climate change in Pakistan.