Islamabad: As the blistering summer heat sweeps across South Asia earlier than expected, Pakistan and India are bracing for extended and extreme heatwaves that climate experts warn are pushing the boundaries of human survival.
With temperatures in some regions climbing to levels comparable to California’s Death Valley—the hottest place in North America—the scale of the crisis is already testing critical infrastructure, agriculture, and public health across both nations.
In both countries, heatwaves are typical during the peak summer months of May and June. However, this year, the intense heat has arrived unusually early and is forecast to persist longer than usual, raising alarms across meteorological agencies and rural communities alike.
This week alone, parts of Pakistan are projected to endure temperatures soaring as much as 8 degrees Celsius above normal, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
In the southwest province of Balochistan, maximum temperatures could peak at a staggering 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).
In the city of Dera Murad Jamali, located in Balochistan, the early onslaught of heat has left many residents stunned. Ayoub Khosa, a local resident, described how the intensity of the heatwave caught people off guard, worsened by crippling power outages that can last up to 16 hours a day.
“The absence of electricity is making the heat unbearable and drastically impacting our ability to cope,” Khosa told CNN.
The crisis is equally severe across the border in India, particularly in states like Rajasthan, where temperatures reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) earlier this week.
Reports are already surfacing of people falling ill while working outdoors, particularly laborers and farmers, who often lack access to drinking water and basic medical assistance.
Anita Soni, a member of the women’s organization Thar Mahila Sansthan, expressed grave concern over the situation.
She noted how women and children are especially vulnerable in these conditions, facing health issues such as vomiting, fainting, and dizziness after minimal exposure to the outdoors.
Balu Lal, a local farmer, described the daily struggle of working under an unrelenting sun. “It’s impossible to bear,” he said. “When I step outside, it feels like the heat could burn us alive.”
The heat has left him increasingly anxious about his ability to provide for his family, as farming in such extreme weather has become near impossible. “We don’t have any other place to go,” he added, highlighting the vulnerability of rural workers dependent on the land.
Extreme Temperature
According to climate specialists, these extreme temperatures are not only a major health hazard—they are also rapidly approaching, and in some cases surpassing, the limits of human survivability.
Over recent decades, tens of thousands of heat-related deaths have been recorded across India and Pakistan, and projections suggest that by 2050, parts of India may routinely experience temperatures beyond what the human body can endure.
The situation is particularly dire for pregnant women and newborns. Neha Mankani, a Karachi-based advisor at the International Confederation of Midwives, warned of a spike in preterm births and pregnancy complications due to high temperatures.
“We see a rise in pregnancy-induced hypertension, which can lead to preeclampsia—one of the main causes of maternal death,” she said. “During the summer, nearly 80% of babies are born preterm, often with respiratory problems.”
Read More: Electricity Demand Surges Past 21,000 MW Amid Heatwave
As climate change accelerates, both India and Pakistan—nations marked by economic disparities and underdeveloped healthcare systems—are expected to be among the worst affected.
More than a billion people could face devastating consequences from prolonged heat exposure, ranging from severe droughts and food insecurity to flash flooding due to rapidly melting glaciers, according to Islamabad-based sustainability expert Mehrunissa Malik.
Malik emphasized how the poorest communities, especially those lacking access to proper housing, water, or cooling systems, are bearing the brunt of these climatic shifts.
Farmers are particularly at risk. “Temperatures are rising before crops are ready for harvest, which affects yields.
The heat makes them mature too early and increases their water needs—if the plants are young, they may not survive,” she explained.
Tofiq Pasha, a farmer and environmental activist based in Karachi, also echoed concerns over the escalating crisis.
Sindh & Balochistan
Sindh, his home province, along with Balochistan, has in recent years recorded some of the highest global temperatures.
He said winter droughts have worsened water scarcity and the early heat is disrupting crop cycles.
“The flowers don’t form properly, fruit falls before it can grow, pest attacks increase, and the whole agricultural process is thrown into disarray,” he explained. “Food security is being deeply compromised.”
The rising demand for electricity to power fans, coolers, and air conditioners during heatwaves has placed enormous pressure on energy infrastructure.
Previous years have seen coal shortages and blackouts, with millions left without power.
In extreme cases, train services were suspended to conserve energy, and schools were shut down, interrupting education for thousands of children.
India’s capital, New Delhi, home to over 16 million people, has already recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) three times this month—levels around 5 degrees higher than seasonal averages.
Also Read: Heat wave Alert: NDMA Forecasts 2.5-Month Heat wave in Pakistan
The Indian Meteorological Department has warned that an “above-normal number of heatwave days” is expected throughout April in many parts of the country.
With early heatwaves becoming the new normal, the people of India and Pakistan face a mounting climate challenge—one that is disrupting agriculture, public health, infrastructure, and, most critically, everyday survival.
As temperatures continue to climb and government resources are stretched thin, the urgency to adapt and build resilience has never been more clear.
