Heatwave dampens Eid recreation
Public parks, recreational spots and streets wore a deserted look during what is usually a festive holiday season.
The extreme heat left little room for traditional family outings or outdoor celebrations. "It's just too hot. We don't even feel like stepping out of the house," said Salman Amjad, a local resident. "You feel drained the moment you open the door."
According to the Meteorological Department, the heatwave is expected to persist until June 12, with no significant drop in temperature forecast in the coming days.
Many residents, especially those who returned to their hometowns for the Eid, preferred staying indoors with their families. "We chose to stay inside. After eating meat, the heat feels even more unbearable," said Asim, a resident of Nawabpur.
A healthcare expert, Dr Waqas Arqam, warned that high temperatures, combined with heavy meat intake on the Eid, might cause dehydration and fatigue.
He advised citizens to drink plenty of water, avoid exposure to the sun and limit physical activity.
Local authorities also reported a noticeable drop in footfall at public places, with parks, play areas and tourist spots largely empty on all three Eid days.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Rising mercury exposes gaps in hospital systems
Over the past few years, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has faced a dual climate crisis, with intermittent rainfall in some areas, and an unrelenting heatwave in others, leading to a surge in heatstroke and waterborne illnesses. Despite the worsening situation, authorities have yet to take meaningful preventative steps or establish dedicated heatwave response mechanisms in hospitals. From Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat to Mardan, temperatures are soaring dangerously. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of more heat in the coming days, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 50 degrees Celsius in Peshawar; a level of heat that health experts believe is life-threatening, especially for children and the elderly. "There has been a clear rise in climate-related heat in K-P due to global climate change. Countries that have effectively managed climate challenges must be studied and their strategies should be localized. Infrastructure projects have led to the cutting down of thousands of trees, which were never replaced," noted Professor Dr Muhammad Nafees, Chairman of the Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Peshawar, who believed that unless swift action was taken, the province may see more heatwaves, floods, and natural disasters in the near future. On the other hand, medical staff in the city's major hospitals are now stretched thin. Dr Ahmad Khan, a medical officer at the emergency department of the Khyber Teaching Hospital revealed that they were receiving 10 to 15 heatstroke cases daily; a number that is steadily climbing. "Most patients are either elderly people or children. Along with heatstroke, we are also witnessing a spike in diarrhea and other gastrointestinal infections, which are directly linked to excessive heat," said Dr Ahmad who urged the public to stay indoors during peak heat hours and increase fluid intake. At the Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, the province's largest public health facility, similar concerns were echoed. Muhammad Asim Khan, the hospital's spokesperson, told The Express Tribune that between 50 to 60 patients affected by heat-related illnesses were being admitted daily. However, there was no dedicated ward for dealing with such cases. "There is no designated facility or cooling center for heatwave patients. We are transferring them to the general emergency medical ward, where doctors and nurses are trying their best to stabilize them. But the volume of patients is increasing fast, and this approach is not sustainable," warned Dr Khan. As K-P struggles with climate unpredictability, the glaring lack of preparedness is putting lives at risk. With no emergency plan in place, no public awareness campaigns launched, and no infrastructure adapted for high temperatures, the province appears to be dangerously lagging in its response to one of the most predictable yet deadly effects of climate change. Experts warn that without long-term climate resilience policies including urban tree plantation, public cooling centers, awareness drives, and hospital preparedness, K-P could face even deadlier summers in the years ahead.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
US natgas lower on near-record output
NEW YORK: US natural gas futures slid about 3% to a two-month low on Wednesday on near-record output, stagnant gas flows to liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants, and ample amounts of gas in storage. Front-month gas futures for August delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell 8.7 cents, or 2.7%, to $3.165 per million British thermal units, putting the contract on track for its lowest close since May 19. Despite hotter than normal weather this summer, analysts projected record output should allow energy firms to keep injecting more gas into storage than usual in coming weeks. Gas stockpiles were already about 6% above normal levels for this time of year. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said a tropical system off the east coast of Florida had a 10% chance of strengthening into a tropical cyclone over the next week as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico. Even though Gulf storms can boost prices by knocking some gas production out of service, analysts have noted that they are more likely to cut demand and prices by knocking out power to millions of homes and businesses, which reduces the amount of gas electric generators need to burn, and shutting LNG export plants. Only about 2% of all US gas comes from the federal offshore Gulf of Mexico. LSEG said average gas output in the Lower 48 US states rose to 107.3 billion cubic feet per day so far in July from a monthly record high of 106.4 bcfd in June. Meteorologists forecast the weather in the Lower 48 would remain mostly hotter than normal through at least August 7. The hottest days of the summer are expected early next week. Temperatures across the country will average around 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27.2 degrees Celsius) on July 27 and 82 F on July 28-29. If correct, that will exceed the summer's current hottest daily average of 80 F on June 24 but would remain below the daily average record high of 83 F on July 20, 2022, according to data from financial firm LSEG going back to 2018. LSEG forecast average gas demand in the Lower 48, including exports, will rise from 105.9 bcfd this week to 110.1 bcfd next week. Those forecasts were similar to LSEG's outlook on Tuesday. The average amount of gas flowing to the eight big US LNG export plants rose to 15.7 bcfd so far in July as liquefaction units at some slowly exited maintenance reductions and unexpected outages.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business Recorder
Heatwave hits water, electricity supplies across much of Iran
TEHRAN: A severe heatwave sweeping Iran has disrupted water and electricity supplies in much of the country, with reservoir levels falling to their lowest in a century, state media said Tuesday. Extreme temperatures, which began on Friday, are expected to ease gradually by Thursday, according to meteorological authorities cited by state television. Government offices in at least 15 of Iran's 31 provinces, including the capital Tehran, have been ordered to close on Wednesday in a bid to conserve water and electricity. The measure come as temperatures in parts of southern and southwestern Iran topped 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit). Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities would extend office closures 'if it deems necessary', while warning of the 'critical situation' in Tehran regarding water supplies.
