Heatwave in Pakistan: How to Cope and Stay Safe

As climate change continues to intensify, there is a surge in frequent and severe heatwave in Pakistan. These extreme temperature events are not just uncomfortable but also pose serious health risks. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast that daytime temperatures in parts of the country could rise to between 46°C and 48°C due to a high-pressure system developing over the upper atmosphere.

This is concerning, and therefore health professionals and experts have urged citizens to adopt heat-conscious practices to protect themselves from soaring temperatures.

Regions That Will Be Affected By Heatwave

According to predictions, these elevated temperatures will be affecting southern Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan from 13th to 18th April. There will be highs of 46°C in Dadu, 45°C in Nawabshah, and 43°C in Hyderabad and Sukkur.

Karachi is also forecasted to experience hot and humid weather. The daytime temperature will be around 36°C. Some central Punjab cities including Multan, D.G. Khan and Sargodha are expected to record temperatures around 40°C. On the other hand, Lahore is predicted to reach 37°C. The absurd part is that Northern regions like Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan will also experience temperatures 4°C to 6°C above normal.

Read More: Thousands March in Karachi in Solidarity With Palestine

Coping and Staying Safe From Heatwaves

It is very important for all civilians to stay safe from the upcoming heatwave. Here are some practical and smart ways to protect yourself:

1. Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water throughout the day—even if you don’t feel thirsty. And most importantly, you must avoid caffeine and sugary drinks as they will only lead to further dehydration. That is the last thing we want!

2. Avoid the Sun During Peak Hours (especially between 11 AM – 4 PM)

Try to stay indoors between 11 AM and 4 PM as the sun’s rays are the strongest in these hours. If there is a requirement, then ensure you wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen.

3. Wear Light and Breathable Clothing

This is very important and even government authorities have urged us to choose wisely what to wear. Opt for light-colored, breathable fabrics like cotton. This is important because loose clothing allows air to circulate and helps the body stay cool. Forget your fashion priorities for a while!

4. Use Fans, Coolers, or Air Conditioning

Keep your living space cool using fans or air conditioners. Designate one room in your home as a “cool zone” with fans, curtains, and minimal sunlight exposure. If these are not available, take cool showers and keep windows open during cooler evening hours for ventilation. Damp towels and cold packs should also be used to help lower body temperature.

Possible Causes of Heatwaves in Pakistan

Every summer, there is a news of a heatwave. But why? Why are heatwaves so common? What are the factors that are contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the country? Here is a gist.

1. The on-going and still ignored climate crisis. Instead of complying to eco friendly habits, Pakistan’s pollution rate is only increasing day by day. Which is an invite to more and more global warming.
2. There were alot of schemes regarding afforestation but very few were put into effect. This in addition to the disastrous deforestation with no check and balance is reducing the natural cooling of the environment. Look around, is the number of trees in our urban cities the same as before? Absolutely not.
3. It is like Pakistan has some water shortage curse and no one seems to care about it. At least not the ones who have the power to. The decreased water availability is only exacerbating the stress on communities during hot periods.

Government and Community Measures

While personal precautions are essential, the role of government and community organizations in heatwave preparedness cannot be ignored. The NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) and provincial authorities often release alerts and set up heatwave relief camps. It is very important for us to comply to these.

Moreover, in the future awareness campaigns, tree plantation drives and improved access to clean drinking water can significantly reduce the impact of heatwave in Pakistan. A far fetched but efficient proposal.