Unbearable heat

Karachi is burning. As the current heatwave devastates the city, the harsh reality of our climate crisis has hit home once again. Since June, 51 deaths have been attributed to the extreme heat. Despite continuous warnings from health authorities to stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, the relentless heat continues to claim lives.

On Wednesday, Karachi sweltered under temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius, with the heat index peaking at a blistering 56 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists have explained that a low-pressure system off the city’s southwest coast has disrupted the usual sea breezes, allowing hot winds from the northeast to dominate. This, combined with humidity levels above 50%, has created unbearable conditions for residents. The situation was particularly dire during the Ashura processions, with hundreds falling victim to the intense heat, prompting urgent medical responses and the setup of emergency camps by NGOs. While the immediate impacts are horrifying, the future painted by the ‘Burning Pakistan’ web app created by a professor at the University of Maryland is even more alarming. This app predicts climate conditions in various cities of Pakistan will be, on average, 5 to 6 degrees Celsius warmer in summers – which is nothing short of apocalyptic. For Karachi, this means a future that is potentially uninhabitable.

This predicted future scenario may seem unimaginable, but they are based on current trends and scientific data. Without urgent and decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve urban planning, the bustling city is heading towards a future where our cities become unlivable. The writing is on the wall. Karachi, and indeed all of Pakistan, must act now to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect future generations from an uninhabitable world. It is time to shed our complacency. We must roll up our sleeves and take immediate action to save our cities and our future.