DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Dera Ismail Khan city is reeling under an extreme heat wave, with temperatures soaring to an unprecedented 46°C (114. 8°F) on Friday.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has placed the region on high alert as the blistering weather continues to grip southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Health experts have expressed grave concern over the dangerous health implications of the ongoing heat wave.

Dr Abdur Rehman, a leading public health expert, emphasised the rising number of heat-related illnesses.

“We are witnessing a surge in patients suffering from heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even early signs of heatstroke,” he said.

Hospitals witness surge in patients suffering from exhaustion, dehydration

“People must avoid going out during peak sunlight hours and ensure regular intake of water and electrolytes.”

He stressed that certain groups were more vulnerable.

“The elderly, infants, pregnant women, and outdoor labourers are at high risk,” Dr Rehman warned. “They need to be given special care, including shaded rest, cold fluids, and medical monitoring where possible.”

Another health expert, Dr Saba, echoed similar concerns.

“This heat wave is not just uncomfortable — it’s a public health emergency,” she stated.

“Many people underestimate how quickly heat can affect the body. Symptoms like dizziness, rapid pulse, and confusion must be treated as serious warnings.”

Dr Saba also called for greater public awareness.

“The government and local NGOs should ramp up awareness campaigns and set up cooling stations in key areas,” she urged.

“We need a coordinated response to prevent avoidable deaths.”

As temperatures show no signs of dropping, hospitals and clinics in the region remain on alert.

PROTEST: Residents of Shorkot and surrounding areas staged a protest on Friday against prolonged and unannounced power outages in the area, which is badly affecting routine life. The protesters blocked the main Dera-Bannu Road, causing long queues of vehicles and bringing traffic to a standstill.

The participants were holding placards inscribed with slogans against prolonged power loadshedding and demanding of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company to take immediate steps to put an end to the outages.

The speakers said the daily power outages had made household life miserable as there was no water in homes or mosques.

Similarly, unannounced loadshedding had also affected businesses in the area, they added.

However, the protesters ended their demonstration and reopened the road after the relevant officials accepted their demands in a meeting.

MAN, NEPHEW KILLED: A man and his nephew were shot dead over a personal feud in Nimatkhel village near Tank on Friday, the police said.

The dispute between the two parties had been simmering for some time. On Friday, when they encountered each other in the village, both sides opened fire. As a result, Abdul Malik and his nephew Bahadur Zaman sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2025