 "The temperature reached the town's and the nation's record highs of 53.5 C (128.3 F) and 54 C (129.2 F), respectively. It is the hottest reading of the summer thus far Image Courtesy AP")
In the midst of an ongoing heatwave, temperatures in Sindh, in southern Pakistan, surpassed 52 degrees Celsius (125.6 degrees Fahrenheit), marking the highest reading of the summer and nearly reaching the record high for the nation, the met office reported on Monday.
A group of international scientists have concluded that human-caused climate change is most likely to blame for the extreme temperatures that have occurred in Asia over the past month.
According to a senior Pakistan Meteorological Department official, Shahid Abbas, temperatures in Mohenjo Daro, a town in Sindh known for ancient monuments that date back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which was founded in 2500 BC, had risen as high as 52.2 C (126 F) in the past 24 hours.
The temperature reached the town’s and the nation’s record highs of 53.5 C (128.3 F) and 54 C (129.2 F), respectively. It is the hottest reading of the summer thus far.
Though Mohenjo Daro is a small town with hot summers, moderate winters, and little rainfall, its few markets—which include bakeries, tea shops, mechanics, shops that repair electronics, and vendors of fruits and vegetables—are always crowded with people.
“The customers are not coming to the restaurant because of extreme heat. I sit idle at the restaurant with these tables and chairs and without any customers,” Wajid Ali, 32, who owns a tea stall in the town.
“I take baths several times a day which gives me a little relief. Also there is no power. The heat has made us very uneasy.”
Close to Ali’s shop is an electronic repairs shop run by Abdul Khaliq, 30, who was sat working with the shop’s shutter half down to shield him from the sun. Khaliq also complained about the heat affecting business.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsLocal doctor Mushtaq Ahmed added that the locals have adjusted to living in the extreme weather conditions and prefer staying indoors or near water.
“Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country to the impact of climate change. We have witnessed above normal rains, floods,” Rubina Khursheed Alam, the prime minister’s coordinator on climate, said at a news conference on Friday adding that the government is running awareness campaigns due to the heatwaves.
The highest temperature recorded in Pakistan was in 2017 when temperatures rose to 54 C (129.2 F) in the city of Turbat, located in the Southwestern province of Balochistan. This was the second hottest in Asia and fourth highest in the world, said Sardar Sarfaraz, Chief Meteorologist at the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
The heatwave will subside in Mohenjo Daro and surrounding areas, but another spell is expected to hit other areas in Sindh, including the capital, Karachi - Pakistan’s largest city.