According to the Meteorological Department, the whole country, including Karachi, is in the grip of severe heat, which has made life difficult for the people. Increased load shedding due to additional electricity consumption in terms of cooling with rising temperature has multiplied their misery.
Karachi Specific Forecast Coping
Today’s weather forecast indicates that not only will it be hot but also humid in Karachi, intensifying the sweltering heat even more. According to official data, while mercury may stay between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius during the day, actual feel could go up as high as 42 degrees Celsius due to mugginess caused by higher levels of humidity.
Humidity and Wind Speed in KarachiÂ
With humidity at an alarming 68%, this coastal city is experiencing its worst summer ever. Winds are blowing from the south-west at a speed of 19 km per hour, offering no respite from the oppressive conditions prevailing here since last week.
Air Quality Issues Amidst Heat Coping
Apart from being too hot outside, residents face another problem, i.e., poor air quality index (AQI). Today’s AQI shows that Particulate Matter is recorded at 75 PMs, making it the world’s thirty-two most polluted city today and Pakistan’s fourth most polluted city. This pollution not only adds to the discomfort caused by warmth waves but also poses serious health hazards, especially for aged people, children, and persons having respiratory problems, etc., who are susceptible to such conditions.
Coping with Extreme Weather Conditions
To combat these extreme weather conditions, individuals should take the following steps: stay hydrated, avoid going out under scorching sun rays when they are at their strongest, and use air purifiers to reduce the effects brought about by lousy quality air around us.
Furthermore, authorities must take action over frequent power cuts that further aggravate heat impacts, given this additional challenge during peak power demand due to increased use for cooling purposes.
Currently, as the nation faces one of its most brutal heat waves on record—which has already claimed countless lives nationwide—the MET Office is closely monitoring the situation while keeping the public informed about what’s happening and how they can cope effectively with such an unprecedented hot spell.
