No reprieve for Pakistan as unrelenting heatwave continues

Heat waves can be dangerous because they can kill large numbers of people through heat stress, which may lead to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat rashes or cramps. (REUTERS)

• The country will likely suffer more frequent and intense heat waves as the average temperature continues to spike, warned the climate change ministry
• Globally, one in three persons is vulnerable to heat wave-related health effects, says ministry spokesman Mohammad Saleem

ISLAMABAD: Deadly heat waves will become a much bigger socio-economic problem and health hazard in Pakistan in the coming decades as the average temperature in the country continues to rise, the climate change ministry warned on Sunday.
Such extreme weather conditions — induced by global warming — will be more intense and frequent, ministry spokesperson Mohammad Saleem said.
This would occur over a much greater area of the country and be most apparent in densely populated urban areas, he added.
“But devastating fallouts of heat waves on humans can be largely mitigated through timely and effective responsive measures.”
Saleem also said extreme heat waves, such as the one presently sweeping through various cities and towns in Pakistan, are frequently cited as one of the most direct effects of global warming.
Heat waves can be dangerous because they can kill large numbers of people through heat stress, which may lead to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and heat rashes or cramps.
They can also trigger forest fires, reduce crop yields and damage ecosystems.
According to Saleem, the World Meteorological Department’s studies show that the annual average temperature in the country has increased by about 0.5°C, which has led to a five-fold rise in the number of heat wave days over the last 30 years.
Quoting a study published last year in the Nature Climate Change Journal, Saleem said that globally, one in three persons is vulnerable to heat wave-related health effects.
He said it was important to come up with heat wave management strategies for every district, which should include planned power outages, sustained provision of water, healthcare facilities in hospitals that will be ready for emergencies, as well as the setting up of roadside public shelters.