ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned against hot and dry weather conditions across Karachi throughout this week, with temperatures expected
to soar to 42 degrees Celsius starting today, Monday.
Heatwaves, which kill dozens of people in Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi each year, are unusual in October when temperatures in the densely populated city
normally rise no higher than 35 degrees.
“High pressure area formed over central Asia inducing wind flow from North to Northwest over Sindh including Karachi,” a statement released on Sunday said. “Under
its influence, heatwave condition is likely to prevail over Karachi during next 6-8 days with day temperatures rising to 40-42ºC.”
In 2015, a June heatwave killed about 1,500 people in Karachi, which is Pakistan’s largest city, and left over 70,000 hospitalized, most with heat stroke.
Officials say they are working to try to avoid a repeat of that heat disaster – a particular challenge as climate change brings ever-hotter years, particularly
in already broiling South Asia.
In unusual turn of weather, heatwave to bake Karachi this week
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In unusual turn of weather, heatwave to bake Karachi this week
- Temperatures are expected to soar to 42 degrees Celsius which is unusual for October
- A June 2015 heatwave killed about 1,500 people in Karachi and left over 70,000 hospitalized
Debris removal steps up at Karachi fire-hit plaza as death toll nears 60
- KMC teams remove debris under safety precautions as search for the missing continues
- Authorities are keeping agencies on alert amid rain forecast as the site remains unstable
ISLAMABAD: Municipal and rescue teams stepped up debris removal operations at a fire-hit shopping plaza in Pakistan’s largest city of Karachi on Wednesday, as officials said the death toll from the blaze has climbed to nearly 60 and the search for missing victims continues.
Teams from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) are clearing rubble from Gul Plaza, a multi-story shopping complex where a fire broke out late Saturday, under strict safety measures, with debris being transported to a designated ground in the city’s Meva Shah area, an official statement said.
“Rescue teams are continuously engaged in search and clearance operations to locate any remaining victims,” the statement circulated by the KMC said, adding that authorities were aiming to complete the process as soon as possible while ensuring safety.
Located in Karachi’s densely populated Saddar district, the fire at Gul Plaza burned for more than 24 hours before being brought under control. The blaze gutted more than 1,200 shops, triggered partial structural collapse and left dozens of people trapped inside.
With rain forecast in the coming days, authorities have placed all relevant departments on alert and are making contingency preparations to prevent further risks at the site, the KMC statement said.
The disaster at the shopping mall has renewed scrutiny of fire safety standards in Karachi’s commercial buildings, where overcrowding, illegal construction and weak enforcement have repeatedly contributed to deadly incidents.
Following the Gul Plaza fire, the Sindh Building Control Authority has warned developers and building owners to address fire safety violations or face legal action.
Deadly fires remain a recurring threat in the city of more than 20 million people, despite periodic crackdowns ordered after major disasters.
