Karachi residents stay home amid heatwave
People heed Met department warning as temperature soars to 42C
Karachi wore a deserted look yesterday afternoon, amid heat warning issued by the Meteorological department coupled with an advisory urging people to avoid unnecessary exposure to sun.
With day time temperature reaching 42 degree Celsius, humidity registered at 33 per cent and wind blowing 27km per hour the weather was comparatively bearable for those who had to leave their homes.
“It is hot but not as sizzling as experienced last week,” said Ammara Jalil, a banker. Thanking her luck that the day did not turn out to be extremely warm as feared, Ammara said the weather forecast must, however, not be taken lightly as there are little chances of much respite during next few days.
Mohammad Sikander, running his general provision shop at one of the most frequented Empress Market talking to APP pointed out that although most of the shops in the market as well as centres located in the vicinity were open but there were not many buyers.
“You cannot even see the window shoppers,” he mentioned commenting that people are taking the warnings quite seriously.
“People are scared and are also getting increasingly conscious of global warming,” said senior environmentalist, Dr Tahir Qureishi. He said this was an opportunity for the state as well as all stakeholders to take needed measures and meet the challenges related to climate change.