The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) began issuing heatwave advisories starting April 7, with subsequent alerts on April 15 and April 25, warning of upcoming heatwave spells across various parts of the country. These advisories highlight the likelihood of dry and unusually hot weather conditions, with temperatures projected to be 6 to 8 degrees Celsius above normal.
In its 2025 Heatwave Management SOPs, PDMA highlights that Sindh has witnessed a substantial rise in temperatures over the past decade, with increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves. The effects of climate change, coupled with urbanization and deforestation, have exacerbated extreme temperature conditions across the region.
Community World Services Asia (CWSA) through the RRF is planning to establish three facilitation centers which will be operated for two months during the peak summer period (May-July). Each center will offer clean, cold drinking water and juice, and shaded rest areas for affected individuals. To ensure continuity of care and run the operations, each center will be staffed by two trained volunteers.
The centers will be fully equipped with pedestal fans, generators, basic medical supplies (such as ORS, cold sponging kits, Thermometer, BP apparatus etc ) and essential furniture to accommodate patients in distress.
Each of the three heatwave centers is expected to serve an average of 350 individuals per day, providing cold drinking water, juice, ORS, cold sponging and basic medical support. Over a two-month period (approximately 50 days), this translates to a direct service reach of around 52,500 individuals (i.e.,350 people × 3 centers × 50 days).
