Jun 24, 2015 08:20 AM EDT
Pakistan Heat Wave: Almost 700 Deaths Recorded

In Pakistan, nearly 700 people have died due to the heat wave in the country, with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius.

Most affected citizens are living in the southern part of the Sindh Province.  Provincial Health Secretary Saeed Mangnejo reported 612 deaths in Karachi City's government hospitals, and 80 in private hospitals.

BBC reports that most of the victims were the elderly who come from low-income families.

Local residents are blaming the government for power-cutting, which has restricted people from using air-conditioning units and electric fans. Water supply was also limited due to the month-long fasting tradition of Ramadan.

These cuts on power and water have caused the rampant deaths of Pakistanis, despite protests coming from residents to prevent further death toll increase.

Poor governance and lack of immediate action from the health officials also allowed the plague to take away hundreds more of lives. Currently, thousands of people are still in serious conditions and under medical treatment.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif just ordered emergency measures to be conducted on the third day, upon learning the continuing increase in deaths because of the heat wave.

Members of the army were deployed to set up heat stroke centers and relief camps in locations with extremely high temperatures.

The Prime Minister also explained that there were no power cuts, but just increasing outages since Ramadan started. The local electric company K-Electric has not yet commented about this complaint.

"In our area, there is no electricity [since the] morning. We have complained several times, but there is no response from K-Electric," a local resident told BBC. He also added that most people in the area chose to stay at home because of the terrible heat outdoors.

Heat strokes occur when the temperature reaches over the normal rate of 37 to 38C, to as high as over 40C. This causes dysfunction in the brain that affects the muscles, causing the body cells and other organs to deteriorate. Chances for survival are low despite getting immediate medical help.

Pakistan's Meteorological Office reported that Pakistanis could expect incoming thunderstorms in the next few days.

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