Karachi:
As every two years, this year also Karachi is slowly becoming an abrasing cauldron, with experts who predict a dangerous increase in temperatures from April 19 to 23.
According to the Pakistan Department of Meteorology (PMD), the temperature scale can reach 42 to 44 degrees Celsius.
However, taking into account the notorious moisture of Karachi, temperatures in the suffocating atmosphere could feel 48 to 50 degrees Celsius.
Every year, both the Health Department and the Sindh government publish warnings, using terms such as ’emergency alert’ to evade responsibility.
However, there are no practical measures to reduce annual suffering.
According to Mujtaba Baig, a climate change specialist, unlike other cities, Karachi is caught in the vicious cycle of “turning point”, where the increase in the use of electricity during heat waves further heating the environment.
Under the effect of the island of urban heat, concrete and asphalt used in buildings absorb heat, while the lack of trees, which constitute only 5 percent of the Karachi area, makes the city an oven.
“The persistent water crisis, worsened by poor management, leaves many areas without supply for weeks, which leads to dehydration between the premises.
In addition, the city’s public transport system is almost dysfunctional, with buses and vans overlapping with people.
These ruined vehicles lack adequate ventilation, which makes passengers, especially the elderly, women and children, suffer greatly during the heat wave.
In addition, daily salary workers face the greatest risk, since most lack access to emergency cooling facilities, “Baig said.
Expanding the problem, Dr. Aftab Hussain, a medical expert, advised people to remain inside during the hottest part of the day, from 11 am to 4 pm, drink a lot of water, consume light meals and avoid sweet or coffee beverage.
“People should avoid consuming colorful drinks sold in the markets, since the bottles that remain in the sun can house various types of bacteria.
In addition, rancid foods stored in refrigerators should also be avoided since during the power courts they can house bacteria, which leads to diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, “he urged Dr. Hussain.
In statements to The Express PAkGazette on the matter, Dr. Pir Ghulam Nabi Shah Jilani, deputy director of Health Services, Karachi, revealed that the health authorities have issued instructions written to all medical superintendents (MS) of government and private hospitals in an emerging way. “
All facilities have been directed to guarantee the availability 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the establishment of stabilization of strokes, uninterrupted energy supply and ambulance services, “said Dr. Jilani.
However, weather experts are not convinced by the government’s action plan to treat the heat crisis.
“The government’s heat management plan includes issuing emergency alerts to hospitals and establishing temporary cooling centers through private companies.
However, these are simply stop measures. What about long -term solutions, such as planting trees, improving water supply or setting public transport? “Baig questioned.
“Citizens should demand better provisions
of the authorities, including more vegetation, a reliable water supply and adequate public transport. Without an immediate action of the authorities, every summer will be more fatal than the previous one, “he warned Dr. Hussain.
In the last five years, Karachi has experienced heat waves that intensify continuously, with increased temperatures every year. In 2019, the temperature in Karachi reached 42 degrees Celsius, which resulted in approximately 60 to 200 deaths.
In 2020, the temperature reached 43 degrees Celsius, killing between 30 and 150 people. In 2021, the temperature reached 44 degrees Celsius, which resulted in approximately 45 to 180 deaths.
In 2022, the temperature reached 45 degrees Celsius, with around 50 official deaths reported and approximately 220 deaths reported privately.
In 2023, the temperature reached 43.5 degrees Celsius, which resulted in approximately 35 official deaths and around 170 deaths reported in hospitals.
This clear discrepancy between the government and the tolls of private death reflects the lack of seriousness exhibited by the state authorities in the fight against the disastrous effects of climate change.
