Hospitals on alert amid heatwave

In light of the heatwave alert issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the Sindh health department has imposed emergency on hospitals in the city with the directions to ensure availability of relevant medicines and ORS for ailments prompted by the sweltering weather. Mercury is expected to rise past 40 degrees Celsius in the city this week.

Emergency services at hospitals are to be kept open and functioning around the clock in all hospitals and heads, directors and medical superintendents of health facilities as well as district health officers have been directed to ensure arrangements for the heatwave.

Besides, the health department has issued directives to cancel leaves of all healthcare staff and to set up special wards to treat persons affected by the heat wave.

On Monday, the maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 40.2 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature was recorded at 25.5 degrees Celsius in the morning.

Sea breezes remained suspended during the day while gusts of hot northwestern winds from Balochistan intensified the dry heat in the city, causing the day to seem hotter than the recorded temperatures indicated. Humidity levels were recorded at around 80 per cent in the morning and 20 per cent by night fall.

According to the Met Office, the reduction of humidity in the air kept citizens from feeling the effects of the heatwave too acutely. However, the department foresees an increase in temperature and humidity levels as well as suspension of the southwestern sea winds, which may intensify the heat.

The weather is likely to remain hot and dry today (Tuesday) with maximum temperature to remain between 39 to 41 degrees Celsius. The heatwave is expected to persist throughout the week with mercury to hit as high as 42 degrees Celsius.

Public health, safety

Amid the sizzling heat, experts have advised citizens to wear loose, lightweight clothing, avoid the sun during peak hours - around 11am to 4pm - cover the head when stepping out, remain in shade as much as possible and, most importantly, drink plenty of water.

The medical and health services department has also issued an advisory cautioning persons with diabetes and blood pressure-related ailments in particular to adopt preventive measures, and approach the nearest heat-stroke centre in case of emergency.

Karachi Administrator Iftikhar Ali Shallwani also issued a high alert for all Karachi Metropolitan Corporation hospitals, while the Rescue 1122 service has been alerted too.

Heat-stroke centres have been set up at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Sobhraj Maternity Hospital, Gizri Maternity Hospital, Landhi Medical Complex, Sarfaraz Rafiqui Shaheed Hospital, Primary Healthcare Centre Lyari, Gizarabad General Hospital, Leprosy Hospital Manghopir, Homeopathic Hospital Nazimabad, Cardiac Centre Shah Faisal, Cardiac Centre Landhi, Karachi Institute of Kidney Diseases and the Karachi Institute of Health Heart Diseases.

Power woes

Meanwhile, K-Electric issued a warning, urging energy conservation as power demand is likely to escalate on account of the heat.

In a statement issued on Monday, KE said it was in contact with fuel suppliers to ensure consistent supplies. It further maintained that its rapid response teams were on high alert to ensure "swiftest possible restoration of any faults, while also deferring any non-vital maintenance shutdowns during this time."

Why the heat?

According to the Met Office's alert, issued on Sunday, extreme heat pressure in Central Asia has caused the current heat spell. Plus, low air pressure in the Bay of Bengal has turned into a depression that will affect different parts of the country today (Tuesday), according to chief meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz.

The current system may not affect Karachi and other areas in rural Sindh, said Sarfaraz. But, he added, another low-pressure system was emerging near Mumbai, India, which would turn into a depression in a few days, likely affecting winds in Karachi and causing temperatures to rise.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2020.