Crisis overview
A severe heatwave is expected to strike Pakistan, in particular the southern province of Sindh and its capital Karachi, from the beginning of May up to the first week of June, coinciding with the first week of Ramadan. Karachi has already been affected by a moderate heatwave during the last 10 days of April, which caused two deaths.
Last year, a heatwave affected Sindh throughout June and during Ramadan, the month during which practising Muslims do not drink or eat between sunrise and sunset. Between 1,300 and 2,000 people died in Karachi, with the impact of the heatwave exacerbated by fasting, despite calls of local clerics to suspend fasting if necessary. Additional factors explaining the severity of last year’s heatwave included a delay in emergency warning, widespread power cuts, and a general lack of preparedness by the authorities and other responding agencies.
Key findings
Anticipated scope and scale
This year the heatwave is expected to strike in May, and last through the first week of Ramadan. It is therefore likely to have a less lethal effect. Additionally, this year early warnings have been dispatched and local and national authorities are reported to be better prepared.
Priorities for humanitarian intervention
WASH is a priority because of chronic water shortages in Karachi, likely to be the most affected, as well as mismanagement and criminal activities affecting the availability of water.
Health interventions are crucial, especially for the most vulnerable, including the elderly, as well as those suffering from diabetes and other chronic medical conditions
Awareness campaigns for people to avoid high exposure to the heat, to adopt the necessary precautions to remain hydrated, as well as to suspend fasting for Ramadan where necessity.
Humanitarian constraints
No particular constraints have been identified, beyond the risks posed by the high temperatures and possible power cuts.