PESHAWAR: The severe heat wave, which has gripped Peshawar for the last 24 hours, has claimed three lives in the suburban villages of this district, while scores of persons are reported to have fainted in the city, cantonment and University areas.

Till the early hours of this morning [June 21], several cases of heat stroke had been reported. Consequently, the business in the city remained practically at a standstill yesterday. A number of tonga horses also fainted on the streets yesterday.

The temperature, which rose from 106 [degree Fahrenheit] to 114 yesterday, continued to be the same today. The two days have been recorded as the hottest of the season in this region.

It is feared that more lives may have been lost in Nowshera and Bannu, where the temperature is usually far higher than Peshawar.

[Meanwhile, as reported by an agency in Islamabad,] According to a Gazette notification issued here by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Government has directed that from Aug 1, 1969, the old coin of the denomination of half anna, one anna and two annas shall cease to be legal tender at the offices of the Issue Department of the State Bank of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2019