Feb 29 , 2016
News
More heat waves predicted this year
APPISLAMABAD: Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) Director Abdul Rashid has predicted that the current year will be hotter and people will face hot and dry weather in the month of Ramadan.
Talking to a private news channel, he said that the year 2015 was very hot and many people of Karachi lost their lives due to heat strokes. “In previous, February witnessed rising temperatures and we are forecasting severe heat wave in May, June and July.” Rashid said that last year in the month of June, when Karachi was witnessing heat wave the temperature rose to 43.7 degree centigrade and this year the temperature will rise up to 44 to 4gdegree centigrade.
To a question, he said that as far as forecast of rains in Karachi is concerned, rains are expected in July, August and September. However, he said it will be premature to announce forecast of rains in Monsoon. Last year, he said, low-pressure area was created in Arabian sea due to which sea breeze was disconnected from Karachi and if this situation repeated in the current year too, then temperatures will rise extraordinarily.
Sindh Local Government Minister Jam Khan Shoro also said that government is trying to ensure smooth water supply to the Karachiites through water board. “In this connection, we are closing legal and illegal hydrants and their number has been reduced to 15 from 200, said the minister. He said that there was dearth of water in Hub dam and government was providing water to Hub dam filtration plants from different sources to ensure uninterrupted supply of water to the residents.
He said that special emergency centres will be established in the hospitals this year. All medicines of heat stroke will be provided to the patients free of cost, he added.
Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director Salman Shah said they have planned meetings with all stakeholders of Karachi. “Moreover, we have devised standing operating procedures for various departments. We will take all departments including met office, Health Department and KMC on board.”
The government can ensure precautionary measures to a certain extent, but people should take self-protection measures and media can raise awareness among masses in this connection, he observed.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk