Deadly heatwave of Pakistan: Workers and farmers face soaring temperatures
Jun 2, 2025 #Pakistan #Jacobabad #PakistanHeatwave
Pakistan's Jacobabad region is grappling with extreme temperatures, as mercury levels soar i
Jun 2, 2025 #Pakistan #Jacobabad #PakistanHeatwave
Pakistan's Jacobabad region is grappling with extreme temperatures, as mercury levels soar into the high 40s Celsius and sometimes reach 50 degrees. Daily wage labourers continue to work in these punishing conditions, with many making bricks at local factories due to limited employment opportunities. The heatwave is compounded by a lack of clean drinking water, forcing residents to purchase water for their daily needs. Hospitals are seeing an increase in heat-related illnesses, while the agricultural sector faces significant challenges, with mango production already affected by high temperatures during germination.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department warns of heatwaves across the southern belt, with temperatures potentially reaching 50 degrees Celsius. Environmentalists point to urbanisation, poor building design, and lack of tree cover as contributing factors to rising surface temperatures. Last year, a heatwave in June claimed over 560 lives in southern Pakistan, highlighting the country's vulnerability to the effects of global warming.
Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder reports from Islamabad, Pakistan