Pakistani authorities on Monday issued a warning to pregnant women and the elderly about the dangers of a sweltering heat wave sweeping the country, with temperatures reaching 53 degrees Celsius.
“The intensity, frequency and duration of heat waves in Pakistan are increasing compared to previous years. Pregnant women, children and the elderly are the vulnerable,” Muhammad Saleem, spokesperson for the ministry of climate change, told dpa.
On Sunday, the mercury in Mohenjo Daro, one of the world’s ancient major cities in Sindh province, was recorded at 53 degrees Celsius, according to the Pakistan Metrological Department.
Temperatures in May are 5 to 7 degrees Celsius higher than last year.
Saleem said the heatwave is expected to last until the end of this month, with two additional heatwaves expected to hit more regions in June.
He added that the heat index would worsen due to low green cover and vegetation.
The Pakistani government ordered the closure of schools, postponed exams, declared a state of emergency in hospitals and set up thousands of heat shelter camps due to the extreme weather.
Pakistan is responsible for less than 1% of global CO2 emissions, but is among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries.
Flash floods, land erosion, cloudbursts, droughts and smog, resulting in poor air quality, have increased in Pakistan in recent years.
Every year in Pakistan, hundreds of people die in climate-induced disasters, while thousands lose their habitat and livelihoods in a country that contributes little to global carbon emissions.
