KARACHI, June 23: Two people died of exhaustion caused by the current hot spell in the metropolis while scores of people suffered dehydration. Although temperature fell from 42.2 degrees centigrade on Wednesday to 38.5 degrees on Thursday, many people reported hospitals with complaints of dehydration as humidity rose to 62 per cent on Thursday from 33 per cent on Wednesday.

Abdul Khaliq, 35, collapsed at a roadside eating house at Shorab Goth. Police said the victim, believed to be a beggar, was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Hospital sources said the victim seems to have died due to dehydration. However, his post-mortem report is still awaited.

In a similar incident, a labourer died while working at a house in North Nazimabad. Siraj Ahmed was white-washing the house when he collapsed. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Edhi Foundation said it collected 15 bodies in different parts of the city during the last three days. However, most of the bodies were of heroin addicts.

The met office has forecast another hot and humid day on Friday, with temperature ranging between 36 to 38 degrees centigrade.

Dozens of cases of dehydration were reported at various public and private sector hospitals in the city also on Thursday.

A doctor at the emergency ward of the JPMC said several cases of dehydration were received by them in which people fainted due to exhaustion.

Similarly, at Civil Hospital, several labourers were brought from Karachi Port who had suffered dehydration.

Rizwan Edhi told Dawn that during the last three days, 22 people fainted on roads in different parts of the city and were rescued by Edhi ambulances.

On Thursday, three men were given treatment by the Edhi ambulance staff on I.I. Chundrigar Road, Mithadar and Kharadar.

During the last three days, 288 bodies were deposited at the Edhi morgue, whereas 120 were discharged during the same period. The storage has a capacity of 300.

On June 21, 78 bodies were brought, followed by 140 on June 22. On Thursday, the Edhi cold storage received 70 bodies till 10 pm. Normally, 40 to 45 bodies are received on average daily.

“We have never witnessed such an unusual situation before at our cold storage in hot weather,” Rizwan Edhi remarked.

Health experts warned the general public to avoid exposure to sun and advised them to take maximum fluids to beat the heat.

Children have especially been advised to avoid playing in the sun and take plenty of fluids to avoid heat stroke.

“Sun is extensively shining these days; people should try to cover their heads while walking in the sun. In addition, people should take fluids, but avoid buying from unhygienic places”, said Prof M. Zaman Shaikh of Dow University of Health Sciences. He advised the people to take plenty of liquids to beat the heat, but they should ensure quality while consuming sweet drinks. Many pedestrians were seen carrying mineral water bottles. Ice was in short supply on Thursday.