A recent report by UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) — titled “Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025: Rising Heat, Rising Risk” — warns that Karachi is among nine densely built megacities in Asia and the Pacific projected to face a significant rise in urban temperatures in coming years.
The “urban heat island” effect — where dense concrete, asphalt, and buildings absorb and retain heat — is expected to further escalate Karachi’s temperature. Combined with rapid and largely unplanned urbanisation and shrinking green spaces, this could push city-wide temperatures 2 °C to 7 °C higher than surrounding rural areas.
Under this scenario, Karachi may face frequent and prolonged episodes of extreme heat, transforming what were once seasonal heatwaves into chronic, year-round hazards.
The report underscores serious implications for public health, urban infrastructure, water supply, energy systems, and the city’s economy. Vulnerable populations — including low-income communities living in informal housing, outdoor workers, children and the elderly — are expected to be disproportionately affected.