INCREASING temperatures are a new nuisance we have to learn to somehow live with. Cities like Lahore and Peshawar are projected to measure four to six degrees Celsius above average. This issue becomes more adverse when on-ground preparation, despite continuous forecasts, amounts to nothing, as the government is paying no heed to this grave concern.

The ‘urban heat island’ effect has turned concrete jungles into a proverbial furnace, as could be seen in April this year when rains were immediately followed by sharp, record-breaking temperature spikes, leaving vulnerable populations, especially outdoor labourers and the elderly, at extreme risk of heatstroke and dehydration.

To address this, provincial governments must move beyond passive warnings. What people need is not recorded advisories, but practical solutions in the form of a ‘cool roof’ initiative, the expansion of urban green belt, and mandatory installation of hydration stations at every necessary spot.

Furthermore, building codes require upgradation, prioritising natural ventilation over energy-intensive air-conditioning, which only exacerbates the external heat. Sustainable urban planning and emergency heat response protocols must be integrated into our larger urban management plans.

Muhammad Saad Ullah
Lahore

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2026