Heatwave Pakistan: Temperatures Soar Above 50°C
The heatwave has highlighted the need for a coordinated response to climate change, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations and implementing sustainable solutions to reduce the country's vulnerability to extreme weather events. With the heatwave expected to persist, the government and international community must work together to provide relief and support to those affected.
Pakistan is grappling with a severe heatwave, with temperatures in cities like Bhakkar and Nawabshah reaching a scorching 50°C, exposing the country's vulnerability to climate change despite its minimal contribution to global emissions.
The heatwave has taken a devastating toll on the country, with scorched crops, strained power grids, and millions forced indoors to escape the extreme heat. The poor and daily wage labourers are bearing the brunt of the heatwave, with reports of heatstroke, exhaustion, and economic hardship on the rise. Climate experts warn that Pakistan is among the ten most vulnerable countries to climate change, emphasizing the need for the government to move beyond rhetoric and implement institutionalized heat action plans.
The government has been instructed to ensure the availability of cold drinking water and prioritize water supply in drought-prone areas. Heatwave response counters have been established at major hospitals, and citizens are advised to exercise caution, particularly in protecting vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and labourers. The National Disaster Management Authority has alerted all provincial departments to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to mitigate the effects of the heatwave.
As the heatwave is expected to persist, the government must take immediate action to provide relief to the affected population and work towards implementing long-term solutions to address the climate emergency. The international community must also provide support, including climate finance pledges, adaptation funds, and clean energy technology transfers, to help Pakistan combat the devastating effects of climate change.