KU, BIEK exams postponed today, tomorrow due to heatwave

Residents take to the streets against lack of water and power supply

KARACHI: The ongoing heatwave in Karachi led to the postponement of scheduled examinations on Monday, today (Tuesday) and tomorrow (Wednesday).

Karachi University and the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) both postponed their examinations scheduled on these days but said the examinations scheduled on Thursday, May 24, will continue as per schedule.

Last week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a warning saying that Karachi would be hit by a heatwave from Saturday. This raised concerns in the city as officials and residents alike want to prevent a situation reminiscent of the 2015 heatwave that killed 1,200 people in Karachi.

The city is experiencing hot winds from the deserts of Sindh and warm winds of Balochistan instead of the usual cool south-western sea winds it receives. On Monday, mercury reached 43˚ Celsius. With the halt of the sea winds, the odds of a heatwave increase day by day. The humidity level on Monday was unusually low and was recorded at a mere 5%. Meteorological Department Regional Director for Karachi Rashid Ahmed said this warm spell will remain till Thursday and will then begin to subside. Doctors have advised residents not to venture out of their houses unnecessarily, keep themselves hydrated and wear light coloured clothes.



The heatwave coupled with increased load-shedding has left citizens in despair. Residents of Lyari took to the streets in protest against the lack of water supply by burning tyres and blocking roads for traffic, while chanting slogans against the Karachi Sewerage and Water Board (KWSB) authorities. This resulted in a heavy traffic jam on the Kajhor Bazaar Road.

The protesters, who included women and children, dispersed after assurances from the KWSB incharge. The protesters said from the first day of Ramazan, their water supply has been cut short. Despite registering several complaints with the authorities concerned, there was no action taken, hence the protest.

Police and Rangers reached the scene as soon as they received complaints of a traffic jam. Nasir Shah, the incharge of the KWSB in Lyari, also reached the scene. After negotiations, the protesters left peacefully.

Residents of Gulbahar renewed their protest on Monday against load-shedding and lack of water supply. The protests led to a traffic jam at Lasbella intersection as protesters blocked the adjoining roads. Citizens across the city are up in arms against the KWSB and K-Electric.