Intense and schorching heatwave hit Karachi hard on Sunday as mercury surged to its highest level of the season, pushing citizens into severe discomfort, particularly in low-income and electricity-deficient areas where prolonged load-shedding worsened already unbearable conditions.
As Karachi continues to battle relentless heatwave conditions, the combination of rising temperatures, prolonged power outages, and inadequate civic facilities has created a crisis-like situation for millions of residents. With the Met Office warning of continued hot weather in the coming days, citizens are left hoping for relief that, so far, remains out of reach. For now, Karachi stands as a city struggling not only against nature’s heat but also against systemic failures that intensify every degree of it.
From Lyari to Korangi, Malir to Orangi Town, and Gulshan-e-Iqbal to New Karachi, citizens reported extreme discomfort. In Lyari, densely populated neighborhoods experienced suffocating indoor temperatures due to electricity outages.
In Korangi Industrial Area, daily wage workers continued their shifts under intense heat exposure, with several reporting dizziness and dehydration. Factory workers complained that employers failed to adjust working hours despite rising temperatures.
Doctors across Karachi reported a noticeable surge in heat-related cases, particularly among children and senior citizens. Elderly citizens in areas like Lyari, Saddar, and Liaquatabad were also severely affected. Women across Karachi reported severe hardship while performing household chores in extreme indoor heat. With gas pressure low in many areas and electricity unavailable, cooking indoors became a physically draining task.
Medical experts have warned that prolonged exposure to such heatwave conditions can lead to serious health complications, including heatstroke, severe dehydration, gastroenteritis, low blood pressure, muscle cramps and heat exhaustion.
Doctors further cautioned that individuals with heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions are at significantly higher risk. A senior physician Ramesh Kumar advised: ‘People should avoid going outside between 12 am and 4 pm, drink water frequently, wear light-colored clothing, and avoid oily or heavy meals. Immediate medical attention is required if someone shows confusion, excessive sweating followed by dryness, or fainting.’
‘Every year we see the same situation repeated, with no long-term solution,’ said a local activist Ali Gul. ‘Heatwaves are becoming more dangerous, but basic services are still collapsing.’ Residents demanded accountability from utility providers and immediate intervention to reduce load-shedding during extreme weather conditions.