Pakistan’s Sindh province sizzles as country braces for intense heatwave
Residents in Pakistan's southern Sindh province endured searing temperatures on Wednesday (June 10) as the country grappled with an intense heatwave that forecasters warned could push temperatures well above seasonal averages.
The temperature reached 46.5 degrees Celsius (115.7 degrees Fahrenheit) in Larkana and 49.5 C (121.1 F) in nearby Jacobabad, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
The weather office has forecast a nationwide heatwave from June 7 to June 12, warning that maximum temperatures in many areas could remain 4 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal. Temperatures may climb as high as 48 to 51 C in several Sindh districts, including Sukkur, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Larkana and Dadu.
Despite official advisories urging people to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and stay hydrated, many residents said they had little choice but to continue working outdoors.
Majeed Bhutto, a resident of Larkana, said the extreme heat was compounded by electricity shortages and a lack of facilities to help people cope.
"Don't ask about the heat. There is no arrangement here to provide water at this temperature. Power outages are another suffering for the people," he said.
Labourer, Mohammad Usman, said staying home was not an option for workers who depend on daily wages.
"We are laborers. If we go out, we will eat. If we sit at home, the government will not feed us anything. We have to earn and eat ourselves," he said.
Hashim Soomro, also another labourer, echoed those concerns.
"It's very hot here. But if you sit at home, you won't be able to earn anything. Where will you eat? Where will you drink?" he said.
Pakistan is no stranger to extreme summer temperatures. In May 2024, temperatures in parts of Sindh rose above 52 C (125.6 F), nearing both the country's record high of 54 C (129.2 F) and Mohenjo Daro's record of 53.5 C (128.3 F).
The highest temperature ever recorded in Pakistan was 54 C in the southwestern city of Turbat in 2017, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.