Scores dead in brutal Pakistan heat wave

REUTERS

Since June 20, 114 people reportedly died in Karachi and eight others in the surrounding Sindh Province, health officials reported on June 21.

All of the deaths have been ascribed to heat stroke.

Temperatures in the southern port city have reached as high as 45 degrees Celsius, just shy of the 1979 record of 47 degrees.

The situation has been aggravated by frequent power outages in several parts of the city, which has a population of about 20 million.

The country's Meteorological Department said on June 21 that temperatures are predicted to subside in coming days, although they will remain high.

Officials are encouraging people to avoid exposure to the sun.