Pakistan heatwave death toll reaches 800
KARACHI: The death toll from Pakistan’s killer heatwave rose to 800 yesterday, as cloud cover and lower temperatures brought some relief to the worst-hit city Karachi.
Morgues and gravediggers in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, have struggled to keep up with the flow of bodies since the scorching temperatures began last weekend.
Hospitals have been on a crisis footing and dedicated heatstroke treatment centres have been set up around the city to treat the thousands affected by heatstroke and dehydration.
“The death toll has climbed to 800 according to the data collected till midnight,” provincial health secretary Saeed Mangnejo told AFP, warning that more deaths could be announced later in the day. After days of temperatures hovering at highs in the mid-40s Celsius (around 110 Fahrenheit), sea breezes and cloud cover have brought respite to the port city in the last two days. The Met Office forecast temperatures of around 34 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with 75 per cent cloud cover.
Pakistan’s largest charity, Edhi Foundation, said their mortuaries in the city had received such an influx of bodies that they were struggling to keep them properly chilled.
Victims’ families have also faced challenges in burying their dead, as grave-diggers have struggled to keep up with demand in the scorching heat.