Karachi Heat Crisis: 10 Found Dead As Temperature Hits 44.1°C

KARACHI: At least 10 people were found dead in different parts of Karachi on Monday as the city faced its hottest day in eight years, with the temperature climbing to 44.1°C. Officials and welfare organisations linked the deaths to extreme heat conditions that gripped the metropolis through the day.

The Edhi Foundation and Chhipa Welfare Association said their volunteers recovered bodies from several neighbourhoods, including Manghopir, Gulshan-i-Hadeed, Defence Phase VIII, Boat Basin, Liaquatabad, Superhighway, Surjani Town, Mauripur Road, Baldia Town and North Karachi. The bodies were shifted to major public hospitals, including Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Civil Hospital Karachi and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

According to the welfare groups, most of those found dead had not been identified by late Monday night, while several appeared to be drug users or vulnerable individuals living without protection from the harsh weather. Seven of the deceased remained unidentified, raising concern over the exposure of homeless and marginalised citizens during severe heat spells.

Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed, however, said medico-legal departments at the three government hospitals had not received bodies for autopsy. The Sindh government also acknowledged the loss of lives, with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressing regret and ordering the city administration to identify the victims and trace their families.

The chief minister urged residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor movement and follow precautionary measures until the heat spell subsides. His appeal came as citizens continued to complain about prolonged electricity outages, water shortages and limited relief services in several parts of Karachi during the peak of the extreme weather.

The heatwave also created serious difficulties for students appearing in intermediate and O/A Level examinations. Families reported that frequent power failures, including at some examination centres, made conditions harder for candidates already sitting through papers in suffocating temperatures.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department said Monday’s 44.1°C reading was the highest temperature recorded in Karachi since May 31, 2018, when the mercury had touched 46°C. Officials said the temperature was 7.8°C above the city’s usual May average of 36.3°C, although low humidity kept the apparent or “feels-like” temperature from rising even further.

A PMD official said dry continental winds were responsible for the unusually intense heat and that the expected return of the sea breeze had been delayed until the evening. The department forecast that temperatures would begin easing from Tuesday as dry winds weaken, with a gradual decline expected during the week.

Karachi’s latest heat-related deaths underline the city’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather, especially for labourers, students, the homeless and low-income communities facing unreliable power and water access. Authorities are now under pressure to strengthen early-warning systems, cooling facilities, emergency medical response and public outreach before another temperature spike expected later this month.