Massive Heat Wave in Pakistan’s Sindh Region Kills 400

Nearly 400 people have died in the intense heat wave that has gripped much of Pakistan’s Sindh region.

People cool themselves off in polluted water near a port during a high heat wave, in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, June 22, 2015. (Photo: AP)

An intense heatwave sweeping across Pakistan’s southern Sindh province has killed around 400 people, including women and children, in the capital Karachi, prompting the army to step in to help victims of the worst heatstroke that has hit the country in more than a decade.

The heatwave that has been going on since the advent of Ramzan on Friday has caused havoc and triggered an emergency situation in major hospitals of the province.

Many cities in Pakistan are facing heat wave conditions with temperatures reaching 49 degrees Celsius. (Photo: AP) 

Doctors said the local hospitals had in four days treated around 3000 people suffering from illnesses related to the heat wave.

While doctors at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital said 71 people had died due to the heat wave until yesterday, Saeed Qureshi, a doctor at the Civil hospital confirmed 70 deaths.

There have been deaths from the heat wave at other hospitals also and the death toll is close to 400 now.

–Saeed Qureshi, Doctor, Civil Hospital Karachi

The Sindh government has imposed a state of emergency at all hospitals, cancelling leave for doctors and other medical staff and is increasing stocks of medical supplies.

The Pakistan Army and paramilitary Rangers have also set up special centres for treatment of heat stroke victims and also supplied related medicines to government hospitals.