ISLAMABAD, 16 May 2006 — As the heat wave continued to sweep southern Punjab and Sindh with temperatures shooting up to 50 degrees Celsius, reports yesterday said the death toll mounted to 96. Most of the people died due to heatstrokes.
Hundreds of animals have also died in Sindh and Punjab. The continuing heat wave has prompted authorities to warn people to stay out of the midday sun.
Monsoon rains are due in July, and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz called on Pakistanis last week to pray for rain as water levels in reservoirs and canals fell to perilously low levels.
“This time, the heat wave began a bit early. It is very strong,” said Tahir Ali Javed, health minister for central Punjab province, where 35 people have died from heatstroke in the last week alone. “The deaths are taking place at many places and we can’t give you the exact numbers,” he said.
The largest hospital in the eastern city of Lahore, Services Hospital, had received up to 20 patients a day since early this month, mostly students, suffering from diarrhea, dehydration and vomiting, hospital doctor Mohammad Imran said.
The provincial Health Ministry issued circulars to educational institutions telling pupils to stop playing outdoor games.
