Source: CNN – Sophia Saifi, Rhea Mogul, Aishwarya S. Iyer : India & Pakistan Heatwave
🔹 What’s Happening?
India and Pakistan are being scorched by an unusually early and prolonged heatwave, with temperatures in some regions nearing 49°C (120°F) – similar to California’s Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth.
The heatwave arrived weeks earlier than usual and is expected to last longer than previous years, stretching already stressed power grids, water supplies, and health systems.
🔹 Regional Impact
- Pakistan:
- Parts of Balochistan are seeing temperatures rise 8°C above normal.
- Dera Murad Jamali is facing severe power cuts up to 16 hours a day, worsening living conditions.
- The meteorological department warns of heat extremes from April 14–18.
- Parts of Balochistan are seeing temperatures rise 8°C above normal.
- India:
- Delhi has already seen 40°C+ days multiple times in April – about 5°C above seasonal norms.
- Rajasthan hit 44°C (111°F) recently, causing health concerns among laborers and farmers.
- The Indian Met Department warns of an “above-normal number of heatwave days” this April.
- Delhi has already seen 40°C+ days multiple times in April – about 5°C above seasonal norms.
🔹 Human Impact
- Health Hazards:
- Surge in heatstroke, dizziness, vomiting, and dehydration, especially in outdoor workers.
- Women and children are particularly vulnerable. Pregnant women face higher risks of preterm birth, hypertension, and even maternal mortality.
- Surge in heatstroke, dizziness, vomiting, and dehydration, especially in outdoor workers.
- Livelihood & Survival:
- Farmers can’t work in the heat. Crops are failing as young plants wilt in dry conditions.
- People in both countries worry about income, food supply, and lack of cooling solutions.
- Farmers can’t work in the heat. Crops are failing as young plants wilt in dry conditions.
“We cannot even stand to work in it,” says Balu Lal, a farmer in Rajasthan. “It feels like people would burn in the heat outside.”
🔹 Climate & Environmental Impact
- Food Production at Risk:
- Heat is affecting flowering and fruit setting, leading to failed harvests.
- Rising temperatures are inviting pest attacks, further ruining crops.
- Erratic weather patterns are impacting agriculture cycles and water needs.
- Heat is affecting flowering and fruit setting, leading to failed harvests.
- Water & Power Crisis:
- Winter droughts and poor rainfall have led to acute water shortages in Sindh and Balochistan.
- Power grids are overwhelmed due to rising demand for cooling; blackouts are common.
- Winter droughts and poor rainfall have led to acute water shortages in Sindh and Balochistan.
🔹 Broader Implications
- Climate Emergency:
- Experts warn India could soon cross human survivability limits due to extreme heat.
- Over 1 billion people in South Asia are expected to be severely affected by future climate events.
- Experts warn India could soon cross human survivability limits due to extreme heat.
- Educational Disruption & Energy Cuts:
- Schools have been shut down.
- Trains have been cancelled to conserve fuel for power plants.
- Coal shortages during previous heatwaves have already demonstrated system vulnerabilities.
- Schools have been shut down.
“Communities without access to cooling, stable homes, or secure incomes are hit the hardest,” says climate expert Mehrunissa Malik.
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