NAWABSHAH, April 19 A number of cases of heat stroke and gastroenteritis were reported from different parts of the Shaheed Benazirabad district as mercury rose to 47 degree Celsius on Sunday.

Nawabshah city and adjoining areas — including Daur, Bandhi, Sakrand, Qazi Ahmed and Doulatpur — remained in the grip of intense heatwave. The scorching heat forced people to remain indoors and badly affected business activities.

To make things worse, the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company continued unannounced and prolonged power loadshedding in the city and other areas, adding to the woes of the people.

A number of patients suffering from heat stroke and gastroenteritis, including children, were at the People`s Medical College Hospital and other facilities.

Shahzad Ali of local met office said that the maximum temperature recorded on Sunday was 47 degree Celsius, and predicted an increase in the temperature in the coming days.

Nawabshah is one of the hottest places of Pakistan with its maximum temperature crossing 50 degree Celsius in April and May every year.