Karachi experienced its hottest day of the year on Monday as the mercury touched 44.1°C, nearly eight degrees above normal, under extremely hot and dry conditions, according to weather data shared by Met officials.
Most parts of the city remained under severe heat, with the Jinnah Terminal recording 43.7°C, Sharea Faisal 43.5°C and Gulistan-e-Jauhar 43.3°C. The relative humidity remained very low, falling to around 17 per cent, making the day exceptionally dry and harsh.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Karachi’s normal maximum temperature for this period is around 36.3°C, but Monday’s reading showed a departure of 7.8°C, making it one of the most abnormal temperature spikes recorded in the province during the day.
Weather officials said that the intense heat in Karachi is linked to the dominance of dry continental winds and the weakening of the usual sea breeze during daytime hours. North-westerly winds continued to blow over the city, preventing the normal cooling effect from the Arabian Sea.
The Met Office said that hot and dry weather is likely to continue in Karachi and other parts of Sindh over the next few days, although temperatures may fluctuate depending on wind direction and the restoration of sea breeze.
Weather analysts said that Karachi’s sudden rise to 44°C is significant because the city usually remains relatively protected from extreme inland heat due to its coastal location. However, when dry winds from the north and north-west dominate and sea breeze weakens, temperatures can rise sharply within a few hours.
Karachi had recorded 46°C in May 2018, while one of the highest May temperatures in the city’s recorded history was 48°C in 1938. Monday’s 44.1°C reading, however, made it the hottest day of the current year.
The Met Office said that it would continue monitoring temperatures in Karachi and other parts of Sindh as May is considered one of the hottest months for the province, especially when dry winds dominate before the onset of pre-monsoon and monsoon weather systems.
10 die in Karachi
At least 10 people died across the city amid the intense heatwave on Monday, with several deaths suspected to be caused by heatstroke and drug overdose, according to rescue sources.
Rescue officials said that multiple people were found dead or in critical condition in different areas of Karachi. Several unidentified individuals, aged between 35 and 60, were recovered from Manghopir, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, DHA Phase VIII, Clifton, Liaquatabad, the Super Highway and Surjani, with many believed to have died due to excessive drug use.
Chhipa Foundation spokesman Chaudhry Shahid said that one body was found near Saima Arabian Villas in Manghopir. The deceased, approximately 35 years old, remains unidentified and is suspected to have died of drug overdose.
Another body was found near Al-Noor Hotel in Gulshan-e-Hadeed. The deceased, approximately 50 years old, remains unidentified and is suspected to have died of drug overdose. One body was also found near Khayaban-e-Saqib, Street 36, DHA Phase VIII. The deceased, approximately 36 years old, remains unidentified and is suspected to have died of drug overdose.
A person, approximately 60 years old, was found in critical condition near the Boat Basin Super Market in Clifton but later died during treatment. Another person, approximately 50 years old, was found in critical condition under the Liaquatabad No. 10 Bridge but later died during treatment.
A person, approximately 45 years old, was found in critical condition near the Jamali Bridge on the Super Highway but later died during treatment. Dar Muhammad, son of Babar Nawaz, approximately 50 years old, was found in critical condition near Surjani Scheme 33 but later died during treatment.
A body was found near the Tayyaba mosque on Suparco Road in Baldia. Abdul Wadud, son of Ali, approximately 55 years old, died due to extreme heat. Another body was found at a house near the Mauripur Nala Stop. The cause of death of Zaheer, approximately 70 years old, is unknown.
A body was also found near the Usmania mosque in North Karachi Sector 5D/3. The deceased, approximately 40 years old, remains unidentified and the cause of death remains unknown as well. The authorities have urged people to take precautions during the extreme weather, avoid substance abuse, stay hydrated and limit outdoor exposure.
