Islamabad (Aftab Jahan): This renowned for its beautiful and lush green surroundings of the Margalla Hills. The evergreen mountains of Margala attract tourists from all over the world as well as the citizens of the twin cities.
People used to hike and walk in the Margalla Hills in the morning and evening. The lush green mountains, covered with trees and wildlife, provide tranquility to the citizens.
Pakistan is currently experiencing one of the hottest summers on record. Temperatures have already reached 50 degrees Celsius in many parts of the country, and experts believe the situation is only going to worsen from here on out.
While heatwaves in Pakistan are not unusual phenomena, due to climate change, where Pakistan is suffering badly from floods and the melting of glaciers, heatwaves are also becoming a major concern in Pakistan.
More Details: Fire engulfs Margalla Hills amidst intensifying heat-wave
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, when the temperature remains constant above 40 degrees for the whole week, it is called a heatwave. The authorities of the Meteorological Department mentioned that due to the heatwaves, not only human beings are affected, but animals, wildlife, and marine life also suffer.
Pakistan is currently in the grip of a severe heatwave. Due to that, fires are breaking out in the Margalla Hills of Islamabad. Just in a couple of days, fires erupted in more than a dozen places, severely affecting the greenery, environment, and wildlife.
Military helicopters took part in extinguishing the fires. It took hours for the firefighters and three helicopters to control the fires. But the very next day, the hills were on fire again at 15 different locations. Again, firefighters and the three choppers were employed, and the flames were put out after eight hours of hectic efforts.
The capital administration imposed a ban on barbecues, smoking, bonfires, burning, littering, and carrying flammable items, along with tree cutting in Margalla Hills National Park. Despite that, Margala Hills caught fire due to the heatwave.
Pakistan contributes less than one percent of global greenhouse emissions, but it is the most vulnerable country to the impact of climate change. To deal with the growing threats of climate change, Pakistan is in the process of rethinking its strategies to access climate financing.
More Details: Pak army choppers join fight to extinguish Margalla Hills blaze
Several federal ministries and provincial departments have concurrently begun to assume institutional responsibilities to access international climate finance. Pakistan is seeking 1.4 billion dollars of climate financing to deal with the effects.
The time has come for the first world countries to understand the danger of climate change and take urgent measures. Otherwise, countries like Pakistan, which are badly affected, will not be able to survive in the coming days.
Margalla Hills Scorched by Intense Heatwave
The picturesque Margalla Hills in Islamabad, known for their lush greenery and serene ambiance, have become the latest victim of Pakistan’s scorching heat waves. With temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels, reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius in various regions, the country is grappling with the adverse effects of climate change. This year’s summer has proven to be exceptionally harsh, exacerbating the already challenging situation brought about by floods and glacier melting.
Defined as a prolonged period of temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, heat waves have become a recurrent menace, not sparing humans, animals, or the environment.
The recent outbreak of fires in the Margalla Hills is a stark reminder of the dire consequences of such extreme weather events. Despite efforts by the military helicopters and firefighters to contain the flames, the fires reignited in multiple locations, causing extensive damage to the greenery, wildlife, and ecosystem.
In response to the crisis, the capital administration has implemented stringent measures, including bans on barbecues, smoking, bonfires, and tree cutting in the Margalla Hills National Park.
However, these efforts have proven insufficient in the face of relentless heat and dry conditions.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change is disproportionate to its contribution to global greenhouse emissions, underscoring the urgent need for international support and climate financing. With initiatives underway to access climate funds amounting to $1.4 billion, Pakistan is striving to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adapt to its evolving challenges.
The plight of countries like Pakistan serves as a poignant reminder of the imperative for collective action to combat climate change. Unless the world’s leading nations prioritize environmental stewardship and adopt proactive measures, vulnerable countries will continue to bear the brunt of environmental catastrophes, jeopardizing their very survival.
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