City administration gears up in wake of heatwave forecasts

118 first response heatwave management centres to be set up in the metropolis


Our Correspondent April 10, 2019
118 first response heatwave management centres to be set up in the metropolis. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: The city administration has decided to establish 118 first response heatwave management centres in Karachi as part of arrangements to deal with heatstroke cases in the wake of forecasts for May and June. Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shalwani chaired a meeting at his office on Tuesday to review the plans for heatwave management. Deputy commissioners are to formulate a heat management action plan for their respective districts and set-up first response management centres in different areas.

There are to be 24 first response heatwave centres established in South district, 25 in Central district, 19 in East district, 10 in West district, 15 in Malir and 25 first response centres in Korangi district.

The meeting was informed that centres will also be established at 13 different hospitals across the city to deal with heatstroke cases. At Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, 50 beds have been reserved for the treatment of heatstroke patients.

Preparations in full swing to counter heatwave in Karachi

Besides, the cooperation of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), district municipal corporations, health department, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), K-Electric (KE), police and other departments will also be sought to tackle heat conditions.

It was decided that KE will ensure uninterrupted power supply in the city during May and June and will take measures against power breakdowns and load-shedding. It was also stressed that the power utility will not disconnect supply to any subscriber in case of non-payment of bills during May and June.

PDMA Sindh Director General Salman Shah informed the meeting that his department would provide the necessary training to the staff deployed at the first response centres.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2019.

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