Heatwave in Pakistan – By Kaneez Batool
Intensified temperature throughout the world upshot of the global warming but the heatwave (hot and humid weather) that struck Karachi was among the worse results of global warming. Global warming scorching weather all over the world genesising El-Nino. El- Nino causes warm water currents to flow across Pacific Ocean causing rise in temperature, especially to the areas that depends on agriculture. Land, atmosphere and ocean are bind with one and all, if balance changes of any single factor nature inevitably disturbs. El-Nino wreaked coastal areas of Asia in mid-2015 diminished agriculture food production.
Pakistan’s warm winters broached the subject, Will June 2017 replicate scorching summers claiming 5000 lives in 2016? July 2016 was the hottest month in Pakistan ravaging crops and bringing drought that took lives of many people. On 27th of February 2017, temperature will rise to 31°C making situation worse with soaring mercury.
Pakistan often experiences hot weather throughout the year, nonetheless during last 10 years Pakistan recorded record-breaking high temperature in the history with max 53.5°C in 2010 considered to be the fifth highest temperature ever recorded on earth. Wherefore these changes are generally known to everyone, climate is the major factor contributing with other changes i.e. low winds, hot and dry winds, low air moisture and dew drops, and high population and less availability of resources. Pakistan endures intense summers, minimizing duration of spring season as facing high temperature during the month of February 2017 hitherto 27°C.
To overcome high temperature in Pakistan cloud seeding can be used, this process is used from centuries for reducing smog and contributing to rain during drought, heatwave or dry season. Cloud seeding involves shooting of silver iodide, dry ice and salts into clouds formulating such material that engenders rain. China found cloud seeding as cure for droughts and heatwave by spending 170 million dollars. Cloud seeding can be practiced in Pakistan with China’s collaboration, especially for Sindh heat wave reduction.