TITLE:
Web GIS-Based Temporal Analysis of Climatic Factors Impacting Heat Stroke in Karachi
AUTHORS:
Ali Atif, Mahnoor Rehman, Muhammad Butt, Syed Mahmood, Shahid Ghazi, Rashid Mehmood
KEYWORDS:
IPCC, Heat Wave, Heat Index, PMD
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geographic Information System,
Vol.16 No.1,
February
21,
2024
ABSTRACT: This
study focuses on the impact of climate change, specifically the increasing
threat of heatwaves, in Pakistan, with a particular emphasis on the city of
Karachi. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) analysed a century of
climatic data to reveal warming trends, attributing them to human-induced
factors. The vulnerability of Pakistan to climate change is highlighted, given
its warm climate and location in a region where temperature increases are expected
to surpass global averages. The study examines the past three decades, noting a
significant rise in the frequency of hot days, especially in Karachi, where
heatwaves have become more prevalent. The aims and objectives of the study
involve identifying temporal changes in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and
wind speed from 1984 to 2014 in Karachi. The literature review emphasizes the
health implications of heatwaves, citing increased mortality during such events
globally. The study incorporates a comprehensive temporal analysis, addressing
gaps in previous research by considering multiple climate indicators
responsible for heatwaves. The methodology involves statistical analyses,
including linear regression and Pearson correlation, applied to temperature data and urbanization parameters.
Results indicate an increasing trend in heat index temperature, with
heatwave vulnerability peaking in the last three decades. Heat Index
Temperature Anomalies show a clear surge, emphasizing the need for new indices
to control critical heat stress conditions. The study concludes that tropical
climate variability, particularly heat index, is linked to extreme hot days,
urging measures to reduce population vulnerability.
The findings underscore the importance of policy strategies, such as
integrated coastal zone management, to mitigate the adverse health effects of
heatwaves in Karachi’s vulnerable population.