Pakistan wilts under unrelenting heat
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Over 400 people have died in a heatwave in the southern province of Sindh, while the rest of the country is also grappling with severe heat.
The deaths come a month after neighbouring India suffered the second deadliest heatwave in its history, with more than 2,000 deaths.
The Islamic fasting month of Ramazan, during which devout Muslims abstain from all food and drink during daylight hours, began on Friday, coinciding with what is usually the hottest time of year in Pakistan.
The Sindh provincial government has imposed a state of emergency at all hospitals, cancelling leave for doctors and other medical staff and increasing stocks of medical supplies.
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On DawnNews
Comments (8) Closed
Jun 23, 2015 02:23pm
Pakistanis are strong and can brave any heat or any adversity.
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Jun 23, 2015 05:13pm
What do the women do in this sweltering hot months in Pakistan? -Men at least cool themselves by the river! Do the women do not feel the heat at all ???
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Jun 23, 2015 05:15pm
what about the women? obviously they don't have the luxury of bathing in open places. and women from poor families do not have even private swimming pools. how do these human beings cope with this monstrous heat, wrapped up in the all-enveloping burqa?
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Jun 23, 2015 07:08pm
This is not first time, Pakistan grappled with such severe heat. The problem is corruption. Country has very limited resources and if the politicians and bureaucrats take that limited resources through corruption nothing left for public. If someone checks details of these peoples they are among the poorest of society, who can't buy water tanker or couldn't afford proper food to handle such harsh weather. It is Government responsibility to provide clean drinking water, electricity, heath care, education, justice and security to each and every individual at affordable price. Causalities will continue due to one or the other reason but you will never see any name of mighty politician or his/her family member among these unfortunates . People of Pakistan should think to whom that are choosing their leader.
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Jun 23, 2015 07:26pm
Most of the heat strokes are due to dehydration. Hopefully we have the common sense to let people drink water despite Ramazan and the clerics can help by doing public announcements about breaking the fast to avoid dehydration.
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Jun 24, 2015 12:09am
People and children should sleep on banana leaves to avoid heat. Heavy heat also create thunder showers which reduce the temperature.
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Jun 24, 2015 05:12am
@Zak ..not when government never provide electricity to rest of the country. Pathetic situation in Pakistan at least in India they don't have electricity problem.
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Jun 24, 2015 07:21am
In heat wave mostly poor people get killed. It's what happened recently in the two Telugu speaking States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and now in Karachi. The politicians offer only lip sympathy and nothing else instead of providing the much needed shelters and relief by making constant announcements that people should hydrate themselves and that they should keep off the roads as far as possible. Further, clean drinking water should be provided free of cost wherever necessary.
I offer my heartfelt sympathies to all the affected families and sincerely request others to take necessary precautions. Unfortunately, the poor people have no choice but to face the music due to the lack of much needed financial backup but still they can take some precautions at least.
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