Heat wave reaches 52 degrees Celsius, Pakistanis dare not go out

Heat wave reaches 52 degrees Celsius, Pakistanis dare not go out

High temperatures rose to over 52 degrees Celsius (125.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province. That was the highest temperature this summer and close to the country’s record, Reuters reported. An international team of scientists said extreme temperatures have worsened across Asia over the past month, likely as a result of human-caused climate change. Source: https://orleanshouseofpizza.com/ .

The city of Mohenjo-daro in Sindh province, known for the archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization dating back to 2500 BC, recorded a high of 52.2 degrees Celsius (126 degrees Fahrenheit) in the past 24 hours, Shahid Abbas, an official at the Pakistan Meteorological Department, told Reuters. It was the highest temperature so far this summer, close to the city’s and the country’s previous highs of 53.5 degrees Celsius (128.3 degrees Fahrenheit) and 54 degrees Celsius (129.2 degrees Fahrenheit).

Local residents’ views on the current situation

Mohenjodaro is a small town with hot summers, mild winters and low rainfall. Like most small towns, the market here is very limited and usually crowded. Mohenjodaro bazaar only has bakeries, tea houses, workshops, electronic repair shops and fruit and vegetable stalls. However, with the current heat wave, these shops are hardly patronized.

“It’s too hot and there are few customers in the restaurant. I sit in the restaurant and the tables and chairs are empty with no customers,” said Wajid Ali, 32, owner of a tea shop in the city.

“I take a shower several times a day and that makes me feel a little more relaxed. There is no electricity here either. It’s too hot and it makes us uncomfortable.”

Nearby, an electronics repair shop owned by 30-year-old Abdul Khaliq sat working with the windows half-closed to protect him from the sun. Khaliq also complained that the heat was affecting his business.

Local doctor Mushtaq Ahmed added that residents have adapted to the extreme weather conditions and prefer to stay indoors or near water.

“Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to climate change. We are witnessing extraordinary rainfall and flooding,” Prime Minister’s Climate Coordinator Rubina Khursheed Alam said at a press conference on Friday, adding that the government was running an alert campaign due to the high temperatures.

Pakistan’s highest temperature was recorded in 2017, when temperatures in Turbat, in the southwestern province of Balochistan, rose to 54 degrees Celsius (129.2 degrees Fahrenheit). Sardar Sarfaraz, chief meteorologist at the Pakistan Meteorological Department, said it was the second-highest temperature in Asia and the fourth-highest in the world.