A prolonged and intense heatwave has swept across Pakistan and India, leaving millions struggling with extreme temperatures. In Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, daytime temperatures have frequently exceeded 44 to 46 degrees Celsius, forcing residents indoors and severely affecting daily wage earners, transport workers, and farmers. Similar conditions have been reported in India’s Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and northern and central regions, where authorities have issued heat alerts due to health risks, power shortages, and disruptions to daily life.

In Karachi, temperatures have repeatedly surpassed 40 degrees Celsius, reaching a recent high of 44.1 degrees, the city’s highest since 2018. Coastal communities such as Ibrahim Hyderi are facing worsening conditions due to power outages and water shortages. Local hospitals have reported a sharp rise in child patients suffering from dehydration and infections linked to unsafe water. Climate experts attribute the recurring heatwaves to human-induced climate change and rapid urbanization, warning that summers are becoming longer, harsher, and less predictable.

Experts urge immediate government action, including establishing cooling centers, ensuring safe drinking water, strengthening emergency healthcare, and expanding urban tree cover to mitigate future heat impacts.