BAHAWALPUR: More than 50 sheep perished due to the current heatwave during the past two days in the vast Cholistan desert.

The mortality of the sheep occurred when the herds were passing through dense desert and they were hit by heat stroke in the area of Nawan Khooh near Salamsar, about 150 kms from here.

Talking to Dawn, Managing Director Mahar Khalid Ahmed of Cholistan Development Authority (CDA) confirmed the death of about 50 sheep owned by one Dhami due to the heat stroke and unavailability of drinking water in the area.

He said as per a report compiled by the authority sheep of other four owners, including Aziz Qureshi, had survived the heatwave in the desert.

He claimed that the CDA was providing water through its supply lines network along with water tanks.

He added that locals had been advised to shift nearest to the water supply lines or other greenbelt areas for the grazing of their animals and supply of drinking water.

The desert is sizzling with high temperature and in the absence of rainfall, around 200 water ponds have dried, causing hardships to local population and their animals, including cows and camels.

Published in Dawn,May 10th, 2022