Karachi’s roadside drinks ready to beat heatwaves

KARACHI: On Sunday, many have chosen to stay at home but others, who have gone outside in the scorching heat of Karachi -– a Pakistani metropolis previously known for having the most pleasant weather across the year -– stop by roadside vendors selling watermelon and other juices.

The Pakistan Metrological Department has predicted a heatwave during the coming days in Karachi. More than 1,000 died when a heatwave hit Karachi back in June 2015.

All over this city, the roadside sellers of watermelon, sugarcane and Sattu juices give a break to commuters. People, including families, driving in their cars, riding motorbikes or going by foot stop by these sellers to kill their thirst and ensure there is enough water in their bodies.

Juices made of watermelon, sugarcane, milk and wheat are regarded as effective in beating heat, said Noman Ahmed, who stopped by a seller here in downtown Saddar, Karachi.

Muhammad Shafiq, a roadside seller from Multan in Punjab, told Arab News that Sattu is rich in protein, fiber, calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium, and is believed to be not only effective in cooling down the body but also helps in digestion.

“People drink here but several also take parcels as this is the drink which kills the thirst,” Shafiq said.

Though extremely polluted due to sewage water in the sea, the shore — famously known as Sea View — also attracts a large number of families from the lower-middle and lower classes amid hot weather and power load shedding in the seaside city of Karachi. Many juice vendors can be found along the beach.

According to reports, the coming two months will remain dry and extremely warm in the port city of Karachi, where there are major chances of heatwaves.

“We have the defense in form of Sattu juice,” Shafiq offers.