Pakistan heatwave death toll passes 1100

The death toll from a heatwave in southern Pakistan has climbed to 1100 despite a drop in temperature in the worse-hit city of Karachi, officials say, as hospitals, morgues and graveyards struggle to keep pace with the unfolding tragedy.

More than 1,000 people have died in Karachi since the start of Ramadan last week, said Ijaz Afzal, a director at the Health Ministry in the province of Sindh.

On Thursday alone some 200 deaths were reported at hospitals despite a dip in temperatures to 36 degrees Celsius from around 45 Celsius earlier in the week, medics said.

A cool breeze from the Arabian Sea helped lower temperatures from Wednesday evening, said Muhammad Hanif, a director at the Pakistan Metrological Office.

Nearly 80 people died this week in Hyderabad city, which is adjacent to Karachi, said Nafees Qureshi, a district administration official.

Afzal said the toll might rise with more reports coming in to the ministry from hospitals in Karachi and other parts of the province.

The fall in temperatures had eased pressure on hospitals, which were overwhelmed by thousands of patients being driven in by relentless queues of ambulances during the week.

Morgues were at full capacity and bodies were being placed on floors to accommodate the maximum number.

The city's gravediggers said they are not able to keep pace with the burials, despite working overtime this week.