Heatwave: Pakistan Records 52 C temperature

Green Watch Monitoring Report

Pakistan's southern province of Sindh has experienced a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 52 degrees Celsius (125.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in the town of Mohenjo Daro. 

This reading, reported by the Pakistan Meteorological Department, is the highest of the summer so far and approaches the town's and country's record highs of 53.5 C (128.3 F) and 54 C (129.2 F), respectively.

The extreme temperatures are part of a broader trend of severe heatwaves across Asia, which scientists attribute to human-driven climate change. The heatwave has had a devastating impact on daily life in Mohenjo Daro, with shops and businesses experiencing a significant decline in customers due to the extreme weather conditions.

 Wajid Ali, owner of a local tea stall, lamented the lack of customers, saying, "I sit idle at the restaurant with these tables and chairs and without any customers." Abdul Khaliq, owner of an electronic repairs shop, also complained about the heat affecting his business. Local doctor Mushtaq Ahmed noted that residents have adapted to the extreme weather conditions by staying indoors or near water. However, the heatwave has still caused significant discomfort, with many residents taking multiple baths a day to find relief. Rubina Khursheed Alam, the prime minister's coordinator on climate, emphasized that Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change, citing above-normal rains and floods as evidence. 

The government is running awareness campaigns to mitigate the impact of heatwaves. The highest temperature ever recorded in Pakistan was in 2017, when temperatures reached 54 C (129.2 F) in the city of Turbat, located in the southwestern province of Balochistan. This reading was the second-highest in Asia and the fourth-highest globally. While the heatwave is expected to subside in Mohenjo Daro, another spell is anticipated to hit other areas in Sindh, including Karachi, Pakistan's largest city.