The current heat wave registered in Karachi and other parts of Sindh is a consequence of Global Warming and is closely linked to Global Climate Change related "Time Mover" phenomenon, said experts on Monday. Talking to journalists they reminded that the spell of severe hot weather affecting India, in recent past, has entered Sindh and may move towards Southern parts of Punjab aggravating the heat intensity in the area.
Known Environmentalist, Dr Pervaiz Amir with specific reference to Karachi said high temperature in South Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean are presently in a phase of convergence aggravating the heat intensity and neutralising the commonly registered cool sea breeze. Warm sea breeze with growing land temperature is a cause of an accumulative effects, he said mentioning that the severe heat triggered by global warning is a harsh reality and would remain to be a long term phenomenon.
With regard to a query about Pakistan Meteorological Department's prediction of pre-monsoon showers in the coastal areas of Sindh, including, Karachi that may subside the existent heat intensity, the expert with a vast experience in hydrology and previously associated with different national institutions said this may be sporadic. "Over all we are experiencing a mediocre sort of monsoons that are much less than the normal rain fall considerably lower than the average rains during past 100 years," said Dr Pervaiz Amir.
Reiterating that there may not be much respite against the growing heat, the environmentalist said rains during forthcoming monsoons in July and August would be low yet chances of floods can not be ruled out. This was said to be particularly in Jhelum and Chenab, particularly if it rained heavy in upper catchments controlled by India that already exposed to glaciers melting, would open gates of its series of dams causing massive damage to Pakistan as in recent years. "Our side of Punjab would be first to suffer with all possible chances of chain effect in Sindh as we had experienced on previous occasions too, "warned the environmentalist.
To another query, he reiterated that Heat Wave is a phenomenon that would not diminish soon and would persist for quite some time and therefore strategies to counter associated loss must be developed without any further delay. "We already have our designated hot spots as Sibi, Jacobabad etc while there are also newly emerging hot spots with steady increase in land temperature and unfortunately Karachi is one of these spots said the environmentalist.
I fear that we will be experiencing such episodes as presently witnessed in the metropolis lest we look for efficient strategies to protect people against associated miseries," he said. Dr Pervaiz Amir also referred to the heat wave experienced in France a few years ago killing thousands of people following which policy was adopted to address the situation on a pragmatic basis.
Why to go that far even in Indian Rajhastan located next to our Thar area climatic conditions are the same but they have dug a 640 mile long Indira Gandhi canal reducing vulnerability of the people, he said. Water is available in abundance to the people at a place that otherwise falls in arid zone and moreover the canal also contributes to counter the rising land temperature. In current context of situation in Karachi and other parts of the country, he said it was high time that we urgently focus on extensive tree plantation with provision for adaptation centres for both citizens and the animals.
To a question, he agreed that there was also an urgent need to restrict the sizes of our cities so as to ensure adequate management of these and helping people provided with their needs for essential civic amenities. We happen to be the people where in many of our cities there used to be a mandatory provision for peri-urban areas and these were mainly to avert extreme climate conditions," said the expert.
Dr Ghulam Rasool an environmental scientist, presently heading Pakistan Meteorological Department said global warming is a fact while taking, its heavy toll also demand urgent measures to combat its repercussions. He reconfirmed that pre-monsoon system is likely to enter Sindh in a day or so and is expected to cause rain in coastal areas, including Karachi. I do hope and pray that it will provide certain respite to the people," said the environmental scientist.
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