Punjab’s heatwave raises alarms for future

Much like the rest of the country, Punjab is in the grip of a heatwave and the ongoing political certainty coupled with load shedding has left residents lamenting about the government’s lack of concern.

Residents of South Punjab, in particular, have suffered the most with temperatures averaging 44 degrees celsius - something which was unheard of during April and May in previous years. Climate experts remark that this might be the coldest summer we get as the climate crisis will only worsen every year.

Chief Meteorologist Sahibzad Khan said that an advisory has been issued regarding the heatwave and people should avoid going out unnecessarily. “Temperatures have risen alarmingly both in South Punjab and other cities across Punjab. Even in Lahore, the average temperature of 43 is unheard of at this time of the year. We realize that this is part of climate change but people are not prepared for such hot temperatures,” Sahibzad informed. Dr Javed Akram, Vice Chancellor of University of Health Sciences, while talking to The Express Tribune said that residents of Punjab had to be cautious during the heatwave.

“People should leave their homes less and the government should reduce working hours,” Akram suggested, “I would also suggest not to travel on foot and to use motorbikes limitedly.” Dr Akram said that those who get affected should immediately seek shade and drink plenty of water.

“If their condition gets worse, then they should immediately seek medical help.” While this heatwave will pass soon, environmentalists warn that this might not be the first one.

According to environmentalist Naseem-ur-Rehman, time and again we have failed to realize that Pakistan is amongst the countries that will be severely affected by climate change. “Our reliance on fossil fuels, rampant construction, and lack of tree cover is coming to bite us back.”

Rehman was of the view that the government’s initiatives were merely lip service and that radical measures were the need of the hour. In historian Dr Ijaz Anwar’s view, Lahore’s climate problems are directly linked with its rampant construction. “Asphalt surfaces have risen remarkably; everywhere you go in Lahore old buildings are being knocked down for high rises and this adds to the problem,”

Dr Anwar said. He further added that the city’s green area has been obliterated and no one has done anything to increase tree cover. “Such high temperatures will become the norm in the near future if we refuse to make positive changes to our environment,” Dr Anwar told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2022.