Dying heat still claiming victims

Karachi
Despite the scorching heatwave in Karachi easing considerably in the last couple of days, at least 16 persons died of heatstroke and dehydration in the city on Monday, most of them already undergoing treatment at hospitals.
Two patients who were already dead by the time they were brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre on Monday were also among them. As per the figures gathered The News, the overall toll of heat-related deaths in the city since June 20 has hit 1,232.
However, according to the Sindh health director general’s report, this figure stands at 1,219.
JPMC executive director Dr Seemin Jamali said five patients admitted to the hospital for heat-related complications died on Monday, while 43 were still undergoing treatment.
She said two patients were brought dead to the hospital and the initial examination of their bodies suggested that both had died due of heat stroke and dehydration.
“One of them was a homeless person, while the other was suffering from high fever and dehydration and died by the time his family brought him here,” she added.
Jamali said the total heat-related deaths at the JPMC in one week had crossed the figure of 364.
“But with the improvement in the weather and the resumption of sea breeze, the number of heatstroke patients has dropped significantly.”
One heatstroke patient died at the Civil Hospital Karachi on Monday. The doctors there also said the heatstroke patients had reduced and many of them admitted to the hosiptial had been discharged after their condition improved.
Two heatstroke patients died at the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital on Monday, one at the Sindh Government Hospital in New Karachi and three were brought dead at the Sindh Government Hospital in Korangi. Two others died at private hospitals.

Power outages
Although the weather has improved in the city in comparison with the blistering heat last week, the meteorological department has forecast a hot and humid day on Tuesday (today) with the maximum temperature ranging between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius.
The change in weather, however, has not brought about any improvement in the power supply situation.
The K-Electric announced on Monday the electricity supply from the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) had suspended.
Consequently, the power utility added, it was compelled to start spells of power outages in areas which were exempted from electricity suspension.
Most areas of the city suffered frequent power breakdowns on Monday, causing protests and riots in many areas.
The areas that were exempted from power outages were also subjected to four-hour breakdowns.
On an average, the citizens of Karachi are spending 12 hours without power each day. Many citizens also said despite repeated calls and reminders, the power utility’s complaint centres did not respond to them or address their problems.
Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, for a second day in a row, visited public hospitals in the city to inquire about the facilities being provided to heatstroke patients.
The chief minister visited the Qatar Hospital in Orangi Town and lauded the performance of its administration and doctors as they treated 12,000 heatstroke patients in the past one week.
On the occasion, Shah blamed the power breakdowns and the incompetence of the KE for the heat-related deaths in Karachi and also criticised the federal government for “doing nothing” for its citizens. He said the provincial government was taking every step possible for facilitating the citizens.