Killer heat

Blistering heat in Karachi has caused loss of life. As temperatures climbed past 44°C, at least 10 people reportedly died in a single day, exposing once again how extreme weather, when met with inadequate preparedness, turns deadly.

This is the new reality of climate extremes. Summers are arriving earlier, lasting longer and striking harder. Yet, responses continue to be reactive rather than preventive. The immediate priority in such conditions must be safeguarding human life through practical, enforceable measures. Public awareness, while essential, cannot be the cornerstone of response. Telling people to avoid the sun or drink more water is only effective when they have the means to do so. For millions, exposure to extreme heat is unavoidable. Mitigation, therefore, must begin with accessibility. Cities must establish heat relief infrastructure as a matter of urgency. Cooling centres in public buildings and shaded rest areas at transport hubs can be life-saving necessities. Emergency water supply systems must be activated before temperatures peak. Healthcare preparedness is equally critical. Hospitals need dedicated heatstroke response units during peak summer months, staffed and equipped to handle a surge in cases. Workplace and institutional adaptations are another essential pillar. Outdoor work during peak afternoon hours must be restricted, with labour laws enforced to ensure employers adjust timings accordingly. Schools, too, must adopt flexible schedules or temporary closures during severe heat spells. Pakistan's cities are increasingly becoming heat traps, dominated by concrete and lacking ventilation corridors. Expanding urban tree cover and promoting heat-resilient infrastructure are critical steps that require sustained policy commitment beyond seasonal firefighting.

At a broader level, this crisis is a reminder of Pakistan's growing exposure to climate extremes. Rising temperatures, combined with unplanned urban expansion and inadequate infrastructure, are creating conditions where heatwaves are more frequent and more lethal.