Karachi heatwave: 2 more die as city's feels like temperature reaches 54°C

• 51 people died from heatstroke from June till now, says health dept.
• Metropolis records nearly 50 heatstroke cases in last 24 hours.
• City's current temperature recorded at 37°C, feels like 54°C.
  

KARACHI: Two more deaths were reported in Karachi due to a heatwave during the past couple of days as the temperature in the city reaches alarmingly high levels, the Sindh Health Department said Thursday.

With the two fatalities reported at Civil Hospital, the number of casualties that occurred due to heat stroke from June till now has reached 51, the health authorities added.

The port city has been in the grip of a heatwave for the last few days making life miserable for the masses as they face hours-long unannounced load-shedding despite the power utility's assurances.

A day earlier, the mercury in the metropolis reached a sweltering 40.5°C which in reality felt like scorching 56°C.

The feels like temperature is based on the experience of the actual sensation of heat or cold outdoors and is based on various environmental factors comprising humidity levels, air temperature and wind speed — all of which together influence the perception of weather among individuals according to their exposure.

Meteorologists say that the "feels like" temperature is the perceived temperature in a certain area and can be higher owing to environmental factors, despite the actual temperature.

It is the temperature which is sensed by the human body after its interaction with the temperature reflected from Earth's surface.

Furthermore, the health department revealed that nearly 50 heatstroke cases were reported in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that the current temperature in the country's financial hub stands at 37°C which feels like 54°C.

With humidity levels standing at 64%, the metropolis is experiencing a 24-kilometre-per-hour sea breeze, the Met Office said.