KARACHI: Sizzling heat continued to strike Karachi on third consecutive day on Sunday with temperature of 42 degrees centigrade.
Business and social life has been affected due to heat wave. Worst affected are laborers who perform works at open places and hotels. The load shedding in various areas is also affecting the citizens amid Ramazan. The people preferred to stay indoors as scorching heatwave tormented. Traffic remained low on roads.
“Hot to very hot weather is likely to prevail in Karachi during next 4-5 days and maximum temperature is expected to remain in the range of 40-43 oC during the period. Sea breeze is likely to remain cut-off and wind from northwest is expected to prevail during this period,” Pakistan Meteorological Department said.
Mainly hot and dry weather also prevailed in other parts of the country. However, rain-thundershower with gusty winds is expected at a few places in Malakand, Hazara divisions, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Electricity loadshedding in most parts of the metropolis added to the miseries of people. However, K-Electric has assured to reduce load-shedding during Ramazan. Met officials said that more heat-waves are expected this month in Karachi due to climate change.
The PMD has advised deputy commissioners of Karachi to take effective measures for the protection from the heat wave and issued an advisory to Karachi administration, K-Electric, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and other institutions to ensure supply of water and power.
In response to this call, the deputy commissioners are in coordination with relevant authorities to protect citizens from scorching heat. K-Electric has vowed to provide maximum relief to its customers during the holy month of Ramadan.
According to KE spokesperson, “All possible efforts will be made to exempt residential customers from load-shed during Sehr and Iftar. Currently, KE is experiencing a power shortfall due to which previously exempted residential areas are facing load-management of up to 2 hours (reduced from 3 hours), whereas routine load-shed will be carried out in rest of the areas, as per their respective losses category.