NAWABSHAH: Heatstroke caused dozens of people to faint as Shaheed Benazirabad district and Larkana sizzled at 50.2 and 49 degrees Celsius, respectively, on Monday.

The heatstroke victims were taken to Peoples Medical University Hospital and other medical centres in Nawabshah and its adjoining towns where they received treatment.

The unbearable heat forced people to remain indoors throughout the day. Roads and markets wore a deserted look and business activities came to a halt. The worst sufferers of heatstroke were labourers and motorcyclists.

Doctors advised people to drink plenty of water and juices, avoid consuming stale food and keep heads covered with wet cloth while going out in the sun.

Two youths drown

Two teenage friends drowned while bathing in Rohri Canal to beat the heat, some 10 kilometres from the city on Monday.

Ahsan Memon and his relative Hafeez Memon, both 16 and students of intermediate, had gone along with other friends to the canal to beat the heat, said the bereaved families.

They said that as Hafeez lost balance and slipped into deep waters Ahsan jumped after him to rescue him but could not save his friend or himself.

Divers were busy searching for the bodies with little luck. Sakrand Assistant Commissioner Salamat Memon called Pakistan Navy divers to help with the search.

49 degree Celsius in Larkana

LARKANA: The city experienced the hottest day of the month on Monday when temperature rose to 49 degrees Celsius, forcing people to remain indoors.

Most of the roads and streets wore a deserted look throughout the day.

According to local Met office, wind was blowing in north-westerly direction while humidity was 17 per cent in the city.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2018