PARIS: France recorded more than 5,700 excess deaths during a severe heat wave that swept across the country between June 17 and July 2, according to the country’s national public health agency.
French health authorities said 5,764 excess deaths were recorded during the period, representing a 36% increase over expected mortality levels.
The agency reported that 21,674 people died from all causes during the two-week period, compared with an expected 15,910 deaths under normal conditions. Public health experts classify the difference as excess mortality associated with the heat wave.
The figures underscore the growing impact of extreme temperatures on public health. Authorities noted that the number of excess deaths recorded in just over two weeks this year exceeded the 5,722 excess deaths reported during the entire summer of the previous year.
Officials continue to monitor the effects of extreme heat as Europe faces increasingly frequent and intense heat waves linked to climate change.
PARIS: More than 2,000 people have died in France during the past week as an intense heatwave swept across much of Europe, France’s health minister said.
According to the minister, the death toll in France has reached 2,025, with officials warning that the number could rise as authorities continue to assess the impact of the extreme temperatures.
The minister said people older than 12 years accounted for the highest number of deaths.
The heatwave has affected several European countries. According to reports, at least 3,700 people died across France, Belgium and the Netherlands over the past week.
Belgium reported about 1,200 heat-related deaths, while the Netherlands recorded 480 deaths linked to record-breaking temperatures and prolonged extreme heat.
Health authorities across Europe have urged residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged outdoor activity during peak daytime temperatures and check on elderly and vulnerable people as unusually high temperatures persist.
Earlier, Shoppers in France scrambled to buy fans and portable air conditioners during an intense heatwave, with scuffles breaking out at several supermarkets as demand for cooling equipment surged.
A major French supermarket chain announced that it would offer 200,000 fans and portable air conditioners for sale nationwide, prompting long lines outside stores before opening.
At a store in Nanterre, west of Paris, more than 100 customers rushed inside when the doors opened. Witnesses reported arguments and pushing as shoppers competed for the limited supply, with only about 10 people able to purchase a fan or portable air conditioner.
At another store, shelves were emptied within minutes, and disputes reportedly broke out over the last remaining units.
The rush comes as much of Europe continues to endure a prolonged heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in several countries.
In Spain, authorities reported 1,029 heat-related deaths during June, the highest number recorded for the month since 2015.
The extreme heat has prompted health officials across Europe to urge residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures and take extra precautions to protect vulnerable populations.
Pakistan stands at a dangerous intersection where rapid urbanization, poor governance, and global climate shifts are colliding to create a full-blown environmental crisis. From Karachi’s choking air to Sindh’s vanishing water, the country is in ecological freefall that threatens its economy, food security, and human survival.
Climate Change: A Global Threat with Local Disasters
According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2023 (Germanwatch), Pakistan is among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, despite contributing less than 1% to global emissions.
The 2022 floods, which submerged one-third of the nation and displaced over 33 million people, revealed the sheer scale of this threat.
In northern Pakistan, glaciers are melting faster than ever, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (2024) — causing dangerous Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Meanwhile, the southern regions face prolonged droughts and saline intrusion from rising seas. Pakistan is now trapped between both extremes — too much water and too little.
Air Pollution: Breathing Becomes a Privilege
Pakistan’s largest cities — Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad — are consistently among the world’s top 10 most polluted (Source: IQAir 2024 World Air Quality Report).
Smog has become a seasonal epidemic, forcing school closures and causing widespread respiratory illness. The WHO (2023) estimates 135,000 premature deaths annually in Pakistan from air pollution-related diseases.
Vehicular emissions, industrial discharge, garbage burning, and deforestation are the leading causes — yet the country still lacks a National Clean Air Policy with enforceable standards.
Water Scarcity: When the Taps Run Dry
Pakistan’s water availability has fallen from 5,600 cubic meters per person in 1947 to under 900 cubic meters in 2024 (PCRWR Report).
Over-extraction of groundwater, climate-driven droughts, and mismanagement of irrigation systems have pushed the country into a severe water crisis.
In Sindh, groundwater is turning saline, while Karachi’s residents rely on illegal hydrants for daily use. The World Bank (2024) warns that water scarcity could trigger migration, unemployment, and social unrest in the coming decade.
Heatwaves and Urban Mismanagement
In May 2024, Jacobabad hit 52°C, making it one of the hottest cities on Earth. The Pakistan Meteorological Department attributes this to deforestation and urban “heat islands” caused by excessive concrete, steel, and lack of green cover.
Cities like Karachi suffer from poor planning, plastic burning, and the absence of urban forests. As temperatures rise, so do energy demands, health emergencies, and mortality rates.
Agriculture: The Collapsing Backbone
Agriculture provides livelihoods for 40% of Pakistan’s population — but it’s collapsing under climate pressure. Erratic monsoons and groundwater depletion are cutting yields and threatening food security.
A World Bank Climate Report (2024) estimates that unchecked environmental degradation could cost Pakistan up to 9% of GDP annually by 2050. That’s not just a climate issue — it’s an economic emergency.
Policy Gaps and The Way Forward
Despite policies like the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami and the National Climate Change Policy 2021, Pakistan’s environmental response remains fragmented and weakly enforced.
To reverse course, Pakistan must:
Establish independent environmental tribunals for accountability.
Reform urban planning to include green spaces and sustainable transport.
Modernize water management and pricing systems.
Expand renewable energy projects in Sindh and Balochistan.
Launch community education programs to shift behavior toward sustainability.
The Time to Act Was Yesterday
Pakistan’s environmental collapse isn’t inevitable — but time is running out. Climate change, pollution, and resource depletion are converging into a national security threat.
Environmental protection must no longer be treated as a secondary issue; it’s central to Pakistan’s survival. The future will belong to nations that protect their people by protecting their planet.
The writer is a journalist. He tweets at @tayyabjajjvi and can be reached at: tayyabjajjvi@gmail.com
