25 May,2024 01:54 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Representative image/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Thousands of heatstroke victims were being treated at hospitals across Pakistan on Friday as temperatures reached 50 degrees Celsius amid a blazing heatwave, officials said.
The heat gripped the South Asian country for a fourth day and was likely to last for another week, government climate change chief Romina Alam said.
The temperatures could touch 51 degrees on Saturday, the country's chief metrologist Sardar Sarfraz said.
In the southern province of Sindh, ambulances rushed people to hospitals and temporary heat relief camps in all major cities, local official Shah Zaman said.
ALSO READ
Rupee falls 3 paise to close at 83.69 against US dollar post Union Budget 2024
Mobile phone use can worsen heart disease in smokers, diabetics: Study
No link between sports concussions and cognitive problems: Study
'Cortisol face': Medical and fitness experts dissect the new social media trend
After Sweden restricts screen time for kids, Indian experts express their views
"We have treated thousands and more influx is coming in," said doctor Tahir Farooq at a hospital in the city of Dadu, where the temperature hit 50.
"It is like living a literal hell. You feel like walking on burning coals as you step out in the sun," said Zeeshan Khan Shani, a rickshaw driver in Dadu.
"It is unbearable. I'm worried about my daughters. They can faint anytime," said Asif Shakoor, a mother in the eastern city of Lahore.
The Pakistani government last week ordered the temporary closure of schools, postponed exams and declared emergencies at hospitals as the heatwave, the first of this summer, started.
Authorities said the temperatures were hovering up to eight degrees Celsius higher than their normal level at this time of the summer and cited climate change as the reason.
Hundreds of people are killed in Pakistan every year in climate-induced disasters while thousands lose their habitat and livelihood in a country that contributes little to global carbon emissions.
Also Read: Weather update: Heat wave to strike Akola, Amravati, Chandrapur
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
