Karachi heatwave claims 17 lives in past 36 hours

At least 17 people have lost their lives due to extreme heat in the port city over the past 36 hours, according to rescue officials.

The intense heat, combined with a halt in the sea breeze and high humidity levels, pushed the feels-like temperature beyond 50°C, making conditions unbearable for residents.

Rescue officials reported that most of the deceased, many of whom were drug addicts, were picked up from areas including Lasbella, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Lyari, Jahanabad, Landhi, and Garden.

However, the health department claimed that only two deaths were reported due to the heat at Karachi Civil Hospital.

A day earlier, public hospitals in Karachi received 49 cases of heat stroke.

According to health department statistics, the harsh weather has claimed 51 lives since June.

On Wednesday, the port city experienced a feels-like temperature of 56°C.

Nearly 200 Ashura mourners fell unconscious due to the extreme heat and were admitted to the Jinnah Hospital camp.

The maximum temperature is expected to hover between 36-38°C in the provincial capital today, according to the Met office. However, the feels-like temperature in Karachi reached 54°C on Thursday.