Pakistan Sets up 1,000 Camps in Preparation for Heatwave

Pakistan has established around 1,000 camps across the southern Sindh province in anticipation of an intense heatwave expected to impact vulnerable populations, disaster management officials announced on Tuesday.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasts that temperatures could soar to 50 degrees Celsius in parts of rural Sindh.

Ajay Kumar, Assistant Director of the Regional Disaster Management Authority, stated that the camps were set up to provide relief to those affected and to help mitigate cases of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.

These camps are equipped with rest areas and supplies of water and glucose to assist people as needed.

The heatwave is expected to impact most parts of Pakistan over the next week. 

Extreme heat in Pakistan is often exacerbated by power shortages, with some areas experiencing up to 15 hours of daily power outages, according to local media.

Pakistan is increasingly susceptible to extreme weather events, which scientists link to climate change.

In response to the heatwave, schools in Sindh province have postponed annual exams scheduled for this week, including in Karachi, a coastal city with a population of over 20 million.

Sardar Sarfaraz, Chief Meteorologist at the Disaster Management Authority, noted that women who spend most of their time in kitchens and fields in rural areas are among the most affected by the extreme heat.