DADU — Residents of Dadu are bracing for a brutal start to the summer as temperatures surged to 49 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, making the city the hottest spot in Pakistan.
The extreme heat has turned streets into ghost towns by midday. Local markets, usually bustling with afternoon activity, wore a deserted look as families retreated indoors to escape the blistering sun.
“The air feels like a furnace,” said Muhammad Ali, a local shopkeeper who shuttered his stall before noon. “You can’t stand outside for more than five minutes without feeling dizzy.”
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed the reading, noting that the heatwave is likely to persist across Sindh for the next 48 hours. While the scorching sun is a seasonal reality in this region, meteorologists pointed to a high-pressure system sitting over the province, trapping hot air and preventing any cooling breeze from the coast.
Local hospitals have reported an uptick in patients suffering from heat-related exhaustion. The District Headquarters Hospital in Dadu has set up a dedicated heatstroke ward, though doctors say the facility is currently managing with available resources.
“We are seeing cases of severe dehydration and heat cramps,” a senior medical officer told reporters, requesting anonymity as he wasn’t authorized to speak to the press. “The elderly and children are the most vulnerable. We’re telling everyone: stay hydrated and avoid direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.”
For the residents of Dadu, this isn’t just a weather report; it’s a daily struggle. Electricity load-shedding has exacerbated the crisis, leaving households without fans or cooling systems during the hottest hours of the day.
As the sun sets, the temperature will drop slightly, but the relief will be short-lived. The forecast indicates no immediate respite, with similar conditions expected across the upper Sindh region through the weekend.
