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Oppressive heat and humidity drain Karachi’s life and energy

• Underprivileged segments hit hardest • Bike riders, office workers, labourers struggle to cope with extreme heat • Outdoor workers face hardship, household chores become tall order KARACHI: By midday, Karachi, a city usually bustling with activity, begins to lose much of its vibrancy as intense heat and persistently high “feels-like” temperatures keep people indoors and restrict movement across the metropolis. The scorching June sun, coupled with high humidity and feels-like temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, has created conditions that are difficult to escape, whether at home or outdoors. Nearly every resident appears affected by the extreme weather, which experts increasingly link to climate change. Office workers, labourers and daily wage earners alike are struggling to cope with it. For many, it feels as though nature itself has turned hostile. Those compelled to go outdoors after 11am are often seen shielding their faces and heads with scarves or pieces of cloth. Yet some people have little choice. Construction workers, delivery riders, street vendors, and homeless individuals remain exposed to the blazing sun, working through conditions that leave them visibly exhausted. The persistently high heat index is no longer merely a weather statistic; it is leaving visible marks on the city’s streets and on those who depend on them for their livelihoods. Millions of Karachiites earn a living by selling goods on pushcarts, pavements and roadsides. Already burdened by difficult economic conditions, they now face the twin challenges of extreme heat and humidity. One perspiration-soaked pushcart vendor was seen dragging his cart along a sun-baked road, seemingly searching for a patch of shade where he could briefly rest. Finding none, he eventually stopped and sat in the narrow shadow cast by his own cart, trying to regain his breath before moving on. The heat is affecting motorists. Drivers of older vehicles, in particular, complain of rising cabin temperatures and increased mechanical problems. Bus drivers and ride-hailing operators report growing levels of heat stress, while vehicle breakdowns appear to be increasing. Some ride-hailing drivers said their vehicles were overheating because air conditioners had to be run continuously throughout the day. Workers resting beneath whatever shade they could find recalled the deadly heatwaves of 2015 and 2018, saying tragedies of those years taught people to avoid unnecessary travel during the hottest hours. Yet many acknowledged that their livelihoods depend on working mostly outdoors. A shortage of mature roadside trees and green belts is also observed. The lack of shade significantly intensifies heat exposure, contributing to the urban heat island effect. Commuters affected by the extreme weather conditions said the authorities should establish temporary relief camps along major thoroughfares in every district, providing cool drinking water, oral rehydration salts (ORS) and basic medical assistance. Domestic life disrupted The blistering heat and high humidity levels are not affecting only those who work outdoors. Rising temperatures and humidity levels are also disrupting household life, particularly for women carrying out domestic work. Many women say cooking, cleaning and managing household chores have become significantly more exhausting than usual. Kitchens and poorly ventilated rooms become especially uncomfortable during the afternoon, leading to fatigue, excessive perspiration and irritability. Persistent heat and humidity are also disrupting daily routines. Several women said they have adjusted their daily schedules, completing most household tasks early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the day’s most intense heat. Meanwhile, electricity outages, including those carried out in the name of “maintenance” or “scheduled load management”, are compounding residents’ difficulties. Vendors feel the impact Weekly markets held across katchi abadis and comparatively more developed neighbourhoods have also been affected. Vendors who sell goods at temporary stalls report a noticeable decline in customer footfall. The intense heat and humidity have not only affected daytime business but have also reduced evening commercial activity. Roadside food vendors say the high moisture content in the air makes the heat from cooking stoves even more difficult to endure. “Standing in front of a stove is part of our job,” said one vendor. “Sweating is normal. But these days the heat is so intense that the sweat never dries. We could use a fan, but it might extinguish the flame.” Surge in demand for cold drinks, ice While the excessive heat and humidity levels have caused hardship for millions, they have also boosted business for some. Sales of cold beverages have increased markedly across the city. Shopkeepers report growing demand for soft drinks, juices and bottled water as residents seek relief from the heat. However, retailers say they are struggling to keep products sufficiently chilled. High ambient temperatures and intermittent power outages are affecting refrigerator performance, leading to complaints from customers that drinks are not cold enough. Roadside vendors selling sugarcane juice, lemonade, watermelon juice, falsa juice and other traditional cold drinks report significantly higher sales as travellers seek respite from the heat. Ice sellers are experiencing a similar surge in demand. Retailers say daily sales have risen well-above normal levels, while increased consumption by households, hotels, restaurants and beverage vendors has placed additional pressure on ice-making factories. Shopping in the blistering heat At the furniture market in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Block 13-D, a family was seen drenched in sweat. At first glance, they appeared as though they had completed a marathon rather than a shopping trip. One of the family members said they had gone to the market in the late afternoon (after 4pm) in the hope that the heat would ease, and it did become marginally cooler. However, the oppressive humidity remained unchanged. “Even with continuous outdoor walking and repeated water breaks, the sweat would not stop because there was no breeze at all,” he said. He added that the extreme weather had also affected their shopping plans. “We had visited last Friday as well, but a power outage then had rendered it impossible to stay inside any shop, even for a minute. Had the weather been better today, we would have explored the entire market before choosing a bedroom set. Instead, the heat has limited both our movement and our options.” Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2026