44°C scorcher: ten dead as Karachi records hottest day in years

At least 10 people have died in Karachi amid an intense heatwave that pushed temperatures to 44.1°C, the city’s highest in eight years, officials said.

Welfare organisations including the Edhi Foundation and Chhipa Welfare Association reported recovering bodies from multiple areas across the city, Dawn News reported on Tuesday. Many of the victims remain unidentified, with several believed to be vulnerable individuals found outdoors.

The bodies were transferred to major hospitals, including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Civil Hospital Karachi, though officials said no formal autopsies had yet been recorded.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed concern over the deaths and instructed authorities to identify the victims and locate their families. He also urged residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and take precautions during extreme heat.

The scorching conditions have been worsened by prolonged power outages and ongoing water shortages, adding to public hardship. In some areas, residents reported electricity cuts lasting over 16 hours, even affecting students sitting exams.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Monday’s temperature was significantly above average for May, though slightly moderated by lower humidity levels. Officials expect temperatures to ease in the coming days, but warn that another rise is possible later this month.