With temperatures climbing as high as 45°C, the heatwave in Multan has brought life to a near standstill. Streets that once buzzed with activity now wear a deserted look, especially during peak daylight hours. Markets are witnessing low footfall, and citizens are limiting outdoor movement to early mornings or late evenings to avoid the searing heat.

But what’s making this situation far worse is not just the weather — it’s the relentless environmental degradation and poor urban planning that has stripped Multan of its natural defences against rising temperatures.

Power Outages Add to Residents’ Misery

While the weather is already unbearable, unscheduled load-shedding across many parts of the city is making life even harder. With frequent power outages and soaring electricity tariffs, people are left with no option but to reduce their use of fans, air conditioners, and even refrigerators.

“It’s not just a seasonal issue anymore,” says Sara, a local teacher. “It’s turning into a serious crisis, and we’re completely unprepared.”

Vanishing Green Cover in Multan

Over the past few years, Multan’s green cover has declined significantly. Trees that once lined roads and shaded neighbourhoods have been cut down, either for development or without any clear reason. This not only increases the intensity of heatwaves but also deprives the city of much-needed oxygen and cooling.

Tree plantation and preservation efforts are either minimal or entirely absent. Experts warn that unless a massive reforestation initiative is undertaken, the city will become uninhabitable during summers.

Mango Orchards Under Threat

Adding to the concern is the unregulated cutting of mango orchards, which were once a proud identity of Multan. These orchards offered shade, cooled down surrounding areas, and contributed to the local economy. However, urban sprawl and unchecked development are leading to their rapid disappearance.

Residents and environmentalists alike are alarmed by how quickly these green treasures are vanishing. Salman, a long-time resident, calls on the authorities to take immediate action to stop this environmental destruction.

“If we don’t protect our green assets today, we’ll be left with nothing but concrete and unbearable heat tomorrow,” he warned.

What Needs to Be Done

To combat the worsening heatwave in Multan, it is critical for authorities to:

• Launch urgent tree plantation drives
• Enforce strict regulations against tree and orchard cutting
• Improve urban planning to include green zones
• Address power outages and introduce heat resilience strategies

The future of Multan depends on how quickly and effectively we respond to this growing climate emergency.