In unusual turn of weather, heatwave to bake Karachi this week

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.