Port city gets some respite from heatwave

Mercury comes down by six degrees Celsius

KARACHI:

The temperature of the city dropped by six degrees Celsius on Sunday as compared with the previous day.

The mercury was recorded at 36.5 degrees on Sunday as against 42.8 on Saturday, which was the hottest day of the year so far.

However, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a severe heatwave warning in some districts of rural Sindh after May 18.

The port city remained hot and humid on Sunday, however, feel of the heat was less than the last two days. The maximum temperature is expected to be 36 to 38 degrees Celsius.

According to the Early Warning Center, the day-time temperature in Dadu, Jacobabad, Larkana, Khairpur and Sukkur will be 45 to 47 degrees while Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Tharparkar and Umerkot may record 42 to 44 degrees Celsius. After May 18, the heatwave is likely to be severe in rural Sindh.

The port city on Sunday stood fourth among the most polluted cities of the world due to increase in the particulate matter brought by wind gusts blowing from the arid planes of Balochistan. The amount of particulate matter was recorded at 154 million for one square centimetre.

Dubai topped the list with 185 million per centimetre while Kathmandu (Nepal) came second with 163 per centimetre. Tehran (Iran) ranked third on the list of polluted cities with 155 particulate meters.

Read Three children die as scorching heatwave bakes Pakistan

According to the classification, pollution from 151 to 200 degrees is harmful to health, while pollution from 201 to 300 degrees is extremely harmful to health. More than 301 degrees, indicates dangerous pollution.

Cricketer delivers last ball of life, collapses

A player lost his life on the playing field during a cricket match. A bowler Umar Khan died during the match last night in the semi-finals of the local tournament held at Anu Bhai Park. He threw the last ball of the over in the game and led his team to victory.

However, he suddenly fell on the pitch and died before reaching the hospital. Umar, a resident of Malir, was buried in a local cemetery. The 38-year-old private bank employee has left a widow and two children behind.

Earlier, a local footballer fell victim to the heatwave in the Lyari area. As many as 10 heatstrokes and medical camps were established at the intersections, main streets and around commercial centers on the directives of the Administrator Korangi DMC Javed-ur-Rehman.

Doctors and medical staff were deployed in all the camps for immediate medical aid to the patients, said a statement on Sunday. Javed-ur-Rehman has appealed to the people to avoid leaving their homes unnecessarily in view of the extreme hot weather and heatwave forecast and stay indoors and also use cold drinks as much as possible.

The administrator directed the officials concerned to set up special desks for emergency and immediate medical aid of emergency and heatwave victims in all medical centers.

Municipal Commissioner Korangi Waseem Mustafa Soomro has directed the concerned staff to provide caution and keep soft drinks with them during hot weather.