Karachi residents have been pushed to their limits as a severe heatwave grips the city, with temperatures reaching 40.9°C, according to Dawn. The situation has been worsened by the breakdown of essential services, leaving millions struggling with severe water shortages and continuous power outages. On Sunday, the heat intensified further, with the “feels-like” temperature soaring to 46°C due to high humidity. Reports indicate that these extreme conditions are likely to continue throughout the week, offering little relief to people already dealing with failing infrastructure.

The crisis has been aggravated by disruptions in the water supply system caused by damaged pipelines and power outages at pumping stations. Although the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation stated that repairs had been completed on a major pipeline, on-ground conditions suggest otherwise. The city is currently receiving around 610 million gallons of water daily against a requirement of 650 million gallons, resulting in a shortfall of about 40 million gallons.

Despite official claims of improvement, many areas such as Landhi, Baldia Town, and Orangi Town are still facing severe shortages, forcing residents to rely on expensive private water tankers. Meanwhile, K-Electric has continued load shedding despite the extreme heat, citing loss management. This has drawn public anger, with protests reported in areas like Mauripur where people are facing both water and electricity shortages.

Lawmakers from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan have criticized the provincial government, accusing it of incompetence and mismanagement. They described the ongoing water crisis as a major administrative failure that has brought the city to a standstill. As the heatwave continues, the growing gap between the authorities and the struggling population highlights deeper governance issues in Pakistan’s largest commercial city.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.