Extreme heat waves in Pakistan lead to critical water and electricity shortages

03-05-2022

Anna Magdalena Comploi 

Pakistan and Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

Extreme heat has been gripping Pakistan’s Balochistan region for weeks, with temperatures repeatedly hitting almost 50 C. These temperatures are unprecedented for this time of year and have driven locals into their homes, leaving them unable to work during the day. In addition, people are facing critical electricity and water shortages. In 2021, Balochistan recorded the highest temperature ever recorded for May – 54 C. Due to electricity shortages, refrigerators and air conditioners are not working in Turbat, a city in southern Balochistan. Besides impacting electricity and water supplies, the extreme heat has also affected crops. In Balochistan, the harvests of apples and pears have been decimated. The heatwave has also had a devastating impact on wheat crops. Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s minister for climate has warned that the heatwave was melting glaciers at an unprecedented rate and warned of flood bursts. 

Sources and further reading: 

Ellis-Petersen, H., & Baloch, S. M. (2022, May 3). ‘We are living in hell’: Pakistan and India suffer extreme spring heatwaves. The Guardian. Retrieved May 3, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/02/pakistan-india-heatwaves-water-electricity-shortages