Woman falls prey to heatstroke in Rahim Yar Khan

RAHIM YAR KHAN: A woman lost her life while three others fainted due to heatstroke in Rahim Yar Khan district on Tuesday. The total number of casualties has reached eight since the heat wave hit the region in May.

Doctors at Sheikh Zayed Hospital told Express News that 45-year-old Chanda Bibi, a resident of Ada Khanpur, was suffering from a severe headache. She was admitted to the health facility for treatment. However, she later died at the hospital.

The victim’s body was handed over to the family members after the completion of legal formalities.

Meanwhile, three more people fainted after suffering from heatstroke. They were identified as 70-year-old Kamal Din, 37-year-old Sadia Bibi and 45-year-old Fazal Muhammad.

The current heat wave has claimed many lives across Punjab. Most of the deaths occurred in Rahim Yar Khan and Gujranwala districts. Majority of the victims included elderly people and children.

Meanwhile, Met officials said persistent dry weather in the plains of Punjab resulted in temperatures shooting up and the same weather conditions were likely to prevail over the next couple of days.



The maximum temperature in provincial capital was recorded at 43 degrees Celsius. However, rain/thunderstorms along with gusty winds were expected at a few places in Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal and its adjoining areas, the officials maintained.

Earlier, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) spokesperson Dr Wasim Khawaja told Express News that citizens, particularly those involved in outdoor activity, should take heed of necessary measures to prevent heat and sun stroke in the current climate.

He advised the public to carry and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while engaging in outdoor activities. “Children, the elderly and the sick, including those with heart disease or high blood pressure, should pay special attention,” he added.

Dr Khawaja advised members of the public to limit their outdoor activities and adopt preventive measures. He urged them to wear loose and light coloured clothing to reduce heat absorption, facilitating sweat evaporation and heat dissipation.

He asked citizens to perform all outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon. Moreover, Dr Khawaja advised locals to reschedule their work to cooler times of the day.

“However, if working in a very hot environment is inevitable, they must introduce shade at the workplace and rest in cooler areas at regular intervals.”

He added that warning signs of heat stroke vary, but may include an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F), red, hot, and dry skin, strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and unconsciousness.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2018.