Saturday 25 May 2024
Islamabad (Urdu Point. DW Urdu. May 25, 2024) Pakistan, the fifth country in the world to be severely affected by climate change, is currently under the influence of a severe heat wave or heat wave. Heat waves are continuously increasing in twenty-six districts of the country. The Meteorological Department says that the temperature may go above 50 degrees Celsius in many areas.
Due to the ongoing heat wave in the country, schools have also been closed in many areas. Emergency response counters have been set up in hospitals for people affected by heat wave. Hundreds of affected people are being brought to hospitals on a daily basis due to the extreme heat wave. The government has instructed people not to step out of their homes unnecessarily.
Announcements are also being made from mosques to inform people about heat wave.
Districts affected by severe heat wave
Although the temperature is above normal in most parts of Pakistan at present. But 9 districts of Punjab, 13 districts of Sindh and 4 districts of Balochistan are under the grip of heat wave, where the temperature is being recorded five to six degrees above the normal average temperature.
The areas with high intensity of heat wave are Jacobabad, Dadu, Mohenjo Daro, Rohri, Sukkur, Khairpur, Larkana, Padaidan, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mithi, Chur, Skarund, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Tandojam, Turbat, Badin. , Thatta, Sibi, Rahimyar Khan, Khanpur, Kot Addu, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Bahawalnagar, Kot Addu and DG Khan are also included.
A new heat wave forecast
In a special conversation with DW, Mehr Sahibzad Khan, director general of the Meteorological Department, said that another new heat wave is likely to come in the first week of June and this may continue till June 15.
However, he said that on June 28 and 29 there is a possibility of storm and wind in the hot areas of the country, which will give some relief to the people. In response to a question, he said that a severe storm is currently raging in the Bay of Bengal and the direction of the winds is in that direction and there is no chance of rain in the next few days.
Causes of heat wave
According to Meteorological Department, the causes of heat waves include deforestation, urban expansion and climate change.
Saqib Hussain, Senior Meteorologist of Meteorological Department, Lahore, told DW that one of the meanings of heat wave is that if the temperature rises above normal in a particular area and then it remains at the same level for several days, then we call it heat wave. are
According to him, one of the reasons for the heat in Pakistan is that the geographical location of the country is such that the sun's rays fall vertically on many parts of it.
The current heat wave in Pakistan is likely to continue till May 30. "
Damages of heat wave and ways to prevent it
Khalid Khokhar, head of Pakistan Kisan Ittehad, told DW that the country's agricultural sector is suffering a lot due to the heat wave, citing areas of southern Punjab as an example. is burning.
Mango trees are also being damaged. According to him, this is a difficult situation and farmers cannot afford to face these losses to a certain extent.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Arshad Javed, head of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, told DW that the growth of crops is affected by the temperature rising beyond a certain limit and staying at a certain level for a long time.
In such a condition, the plants do not get all their food from the ground and the plant becomes weak and its fruits and leaves start falling. According to Dr. Arshad, Pakistan is already facing water shortage and in this extreme heat, the water requirements of the agricultural sector have increased a lot.
Eminent physician Dr. Asimullah Bakhsh told DW that cases of heat stroke and dehydration are increasing due to heat wave.
Staying under the open sky for a long time in the hot sun can lead to heat stroke. Apart from this, excessive sweating can lead to loss of salts in the body. Dr. Asimullah Bakhsh said that in such a season water should be drunk more. Do not leave the house unnecessarily. If it is necessary to go outside, an umbrella should be used. Bicycle and motorcycle riders should cover their head and neck and go outside.
"Suddenly going from an air-conditioned room to the hot sun, or moving immediately from the hot sun to a cool place is also not advisable."
Rukhsana Tahir, a housewife, told DW that electricity load-shedding is troubling people in this hot summer season, making it difficult for women to work in the kitchen for long periods in hot weather. He said, "Some children have holidays and some have their annual exams going on. Even the food and drinks in the fridge are getting spoiled." Can't even run the AC for a long time for fear of high bills.
