Karachi Weather: Power Shutdown Amid Heatwave
The heatwave is affecting every sector, with agriculture under severe stress, crops dying, and early harvests threatening food security and rural livelihoods, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to address the challenges posed by climate change.
A scheduled power shutdown on 50 feeders in Karachi is set to take place on April 30, 2025, for maintenance work on transformers, causing temporary power outages that may last up to 10 hours, amidst an extreme heatwave gripping the country with temperatures 4-7°C above normal.
The shutdown, announced by K-Electric, will occur between 8:00 AM and 6:30 PM, affecting daily activities in the impacted areas. Residents of Karachi's Ramswami area recently staged a protest against K-Electric over a prolonged power outage that lasted over 17 hours, causing a severe water shortage and affecting vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and the sick.
The ongoing heatwave is exacerbating the situation, with climate change accelerating the frequency and severity of such events. The government is urged to roll out relief measures, including establishing cooling centers, managing water resources, and prioritizing power for hospitals and essential water infrastructure. A long-term strategy is needed to adapt to the warming climate, including investing in water storage, promoting efficient irrigation techniques, and expanding green spaces to reduce heat absorption.
As the heatwave persists, it is essential for policymakers to treat it as a national emergency, taking bold and coordinated action to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and the country's future. The scheduled power shutdown in Karachi serves as a reminder of the need for reliable and efficient energy infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.