by Pakistani City Remains World’s Hottest Place With 50.4°C Temperature Even After Midnight
In an alarming sign of intensifying climate change, a city in Pakistan has made global headlines yet again — but for all the wrong reasons. On a recent summer night, Jacobabad, a city in Sindh province, recorded a jaw-dropping 50.4°C (122.7°F) even after midnight, making it the hottest place on Earth at that time. The blistering temperature, which would typically be expected in broad daylight, has raised serious concerns about the region’s livability and its growing vulnerability to extreme heat events.
Jacobabad: The City at the Center of Climate Extremes
Jacobabad has long held the reputation of being among the hottest places on the planet. But this recent record is particularly unsettling because temperatures typically drop significantly during the night, offering a brief window of relief. However, this time, the heat simply refused to go away. Locals report feeling as though they are being “baked in an oven” even after the sun has set.
This phenomenon, known as “nighttime heat retention,” is becoming more common in cities like Jacobabad due to a combination of urban heat islands, high humidity, and ongoing global warming.
Why This Is So Dangerous
Heatwaves are dangerous enough during the day, but when the mercury refuses to fall at night, the human body has little to no time to recover. According to health experts, this increases the risk of heatstroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular complications, particularly among the elderly, children, and outdoor laborers.
Residents of Jacobabad say they are struggling to sleep, with fans and air coolers offering little help. Power outages make the situation worse, leaving many to endure the scorching conditions without any form of cooling.
A Climate Crisis in Motion
This extreme heat event is not an isolated occurrence, but part of a troubling pattern. Over the past few years, Pakistan has seen repeated and record-breaking heatwaves, unseasonal weather, and erratic rainfall. In fact, scientists from both local and international climate research bodies have pointed to South Asia as a climate change hotspot — and Jacobabad is often cited as a city that could become “uninhabitable” in the coming decades.
According to a study by MIT, Jacobabad is one of only two cities in the world (the other being Ras al Khaimah in UAE) that has already crossed the wet-bulb temperature threshold of 35°C — a point where the human body can no longer cool itself effectively through sweating, making survival outdoors for extended periods almost impossible.
Local Response and Living Conditions
In response to the dangerous heat, some schools and offices closed temporarily, and NGOs distributed water and rehydration salts. However, long-term solutions are still lacking. Many residents, especially those from low-income backgrounds, have no choice but to continue working under the open sky — construction workers, fruit vendors, and farmers being among the most affected.
The city’s infrastructure is not built to withstand such temperatures. With frequent power cuts, limited green spaces, and poor water management, the effects of extreme heat are amplified. Hospitals are seeing an uptick in heat-related illnesses, and doctors warn that if such conditions persist, a public health emergency is imminent.
The Need for Climate Action
The ongoing heat crisis in Jacobabad should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers both in Pakistan and globally. It underscores the urgent need for:
- Heat action plans tailored to local realities
- Investment in urban cooling infrastructure, such as tree planting, shaded areas, and heat-reflective building materials
- Public awareness campaigns to educate people on how to protect themselves
- International cooperation and funding to help vulnerable countries adapt to the realities of climate change
Pakistan, which contributes less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, continues to bear the brunt of climate consequences. It’s a cruel irony that the communities least responsible for climate change are paying the highest price.
Conclusion
Jacobabad’s record-breaking 50.4°C temperature after midnight is not just a meteorological milestone — it’s a climate warning siren. Without urgent action, such extreme heat events may become the norm, not the exception. For now, Jacobabad remains the hottest place on Earth, but it also stands as a grim reminder of what’s at stake in the fight against climate change.
