For people on the other side of the world, summer is a fun time full of activities such as barbecuing, pool parties, picnics and trips abroad . For us in the pure country, the summer is characterized by delicious mango's, unbearable heat, – and as observed in recent years – the holy month of Ramadan.

The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Because the traditional Islamic calendar is moon, Ramadan takes place every year at different times with a difference of about fifteen days per year over a cycle of thirty-three years.

Honored with religious zeal and zeal by Muslims around the world, the month is characterized by fasting from sunrise to sunset with complete abstinence from food and drink. It is also a time when Muslims are encouraged to do all kinds of good deeds, from feeding the poor to a wide range of philanthropic activities.

The exhausting heat in Pakistan has been on the rise since the last decade. Heat waves, characterized by periods of unusually warm and dry conditions, have become a norm for the country. These heat waves have a particularly devastating effect on the population, many of whom fast from sunrise to sunset.

In June 2015, a huge heat wave in the southern areas of Pakistan caused the death of 2000 people as a result of dehydration as a result of heat stroke.

High temperatures in Pakistan

Pakistan is witnessing some of the highest temperatures ever recorded in the summer. In April of this year Nawabshah established a new record for the highest worldwide temperature – an unearthly 50 ^o C. Turbat had record highs with a peak at 53.5 ^o C for four consecutive days.

Temperatures in the same series have become the norm in Jacobabad, Larkana and other parts of the interior of Sindh. An overview of the reported temperatures at the time of writing this article shows that the mercury above 45 ^o C is located in 23 major cities.

Weather forecast for June

According to the Meteorological Department of Pakistan, intense heat is expected to prevail in most parts of the country. Not only that, but the average temperatures remain 1-2 ^o C higher than average in non-mountainous areas.

Although the weather will generally be dry, more rain than average is expected in the northern parts of the country, providing a welcome relief from the heat. A handful of thunderstorms and rain in connection with dust storms is expected in June.

We have already seen an example of this in Islamabad and the region of North Punjab on 5 June 19459008 .

What causes heat waves

According to the World Meteorological Organization, a heatwave is an extreme weather event characterized by a warming of the air over a large area that usually lasts a few days to a few weeks. This phenomenon increases health risks and can even result in death. Moreover, heavy losses for agriculture, increased risk of forest fires and lack of electricity are accompanied by heat waves.

Heat waves occur as a result of high pressure systems, in which air is "pulled" from the ground to the ground. This effect ensures that the air is compressed and therefore increases the temperature.

In addition, when the air comes into contact with the ground that has already been warmed up by sunlight, its temperature rises quickly. The result is unusually warm weather that not only affects people, but also has devastating effects on animals and plants.

The icing on the cake is that high-pressure systems generally tend to hang around in the same area for a long time, which increases the exposure to rapidly rising temperatures. Heat waves can last from a few days to several weeks.

It is understandable that the longer a heatwave persists, the hotter an area becomes. It is important to emphasize that the effects of heat waves vary greatly between day and night.

Here are some characteristics of heat waves:

1. Heat waves are marked with little or no wind because the high pressure system that causes the whole event inhibits the flow of wind .
   
2. There are few or no clouds, because other weather systems can not easily enter a high pressure area.
3. Sunlight usually increases the temperature, causing heat waves to be exacerbated. In areas with a lot of sunlight, such as countries along the equator, the intensity and frequency of heat waves has clearly increased

Health risks & # 39; s caused by heat waves

The greatest health risk associated with heat waves is heat stroke. If left untreated, heat stroke can even lead to death. Other health risks include heat eruptions, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, heat edema and heat dissipation.

Who is most vulnerable

The following groups of people are the most vulnerable to heat-related diseases:

1. Young children of up to seven years
2. Older people, especially over the age of 65
3. Persons already suffering from another disease
4. Those who work outside the home or do manual labor
5. Overweight people
6. People who are exercising

The symptoms of heat stroke include

1. Sudden fever of 104 ^o F or higher
2. Fast breathing and high heart rate
3. A headache
4. Hot, red-washed (reddish) sheet
5. Heavy or not sweating (varies greatly)
6. Nausea and vomiting
7. Confusion, anger, inability to think clearly
8. Fainting (in the elderly)

In addition to heat stroke, rising temperatures can also cause heat cramps (characterized by spasms in the legs and lower abdomen) and heat exhaustion indicated by fainting, vomiting, heavy sweating, weakness and cold skin.

What to do if you suspect a heat stroke

The first priority, if a heat stroke is suspected, is the search for immediate medical care. In addition, the following steps are recommended to combat the effects of a heat stroke:

1. The first priority is to get out of the heat and the direct sunlight . Move the person who suffers from heat-related conditions indoors to a cool room. If no shelter is available, search for shade.
2. Remove excess clothing, roll up sleeve cuffs (if present), remove shoes and socks.
3. Use all available cool water to relieve the symptoms. This can be done by spraying water through a hose, placing a wet cloth on the affected person or pouring cool water on the person's head and body.
4. If this is the case, the affected person should drink water as soon as possible. Cold water, ice cream, soft drinks and juices should not be consumed by a person who suffers from a heat stroke.
5. Direct cool air to the affected person by using a fan, or move them to a room cooled by a water cooler or air conditioner.

Heat stroke at fasting

Research shows that heat stress during abstinence (from eating and drinking) is a considerable health risk. The greatest risk exists in people who may have a disease, people who do hard work and people who are exposed to direct sunlight.

At the same time, specific studies on the effect of fasting conclude that there is no direct link between fasting in Ramadan and any adverse health effects in the long term. Nevertheless, it is important to be cautious in the summer when high heat poses a risk of serious illness or even death.

Although different religious sects have their own specific statements about the breaking of fasting, there is a general consensus that in an emergency, in Sha Allah, it is good to break your fast. Most scholars also agree that it is always better to complete fasting as quickly as possible, and in cases where fasting is broken by sickness, it must be made for after Ramadan.

In this connection the following references of the Quran are mentioned below:

"So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can" [Surah Al Taghabun 64:16]

"Allah does not charge a person out of his reach" [Surah Al Baqarah 2:286]

A Hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah the Exalted) said:

"If I have your area to do something, do as much of it as you can." (Muslim No. 1337; Al-Nasa & # 39; I No. 5/110)

It is crucial to point out that this is not a free pass to not fast; there is compulsory penance for someone who deliberately breaks their fast unless the cause is a serious illness that can be aggravated by fasting, there is an immediate risk to health or life, or intense deprivation will occur.

Islamic scientists argue that for a quick break without justification, one must fast 60 consecutive days or feed 60 poor people. In the event that you or someone you know has to break out of fasting due to a serious illness, it is recommended to seek the advice of a qualified mufti or alim in your surroundings.

During the heat wave of 2015 that engulfed Karachi, ulema of various movements unanimously handed out fatwas that allowed people with medical conditions to refrain from fasting, and people who suffered from heat-related disorders to break their fast

Mufti Mohammad Naeem said,

If an expert physician says that your life is threatened by the heat, or a condition that may be aggravated by fasting, you can give up daily fasting. This (fasting) depends on your medical condition and how you react to the heat, not in a non-committal way. When life is threatened, when our body needs food, even Shariat allows us to eat pork – so if you are medically diabetic or dehydrated, you do not have to fast.

Other religious scholars, including Tahir Ashrafi, also reflected these feelings.

Preventing heat stroke

Prevention is better than cure, and here are some ways to prevent heat stroke and other heat-related health problems:

1. Stay out of the sun as much as possible, especially between 11:00 and 16:00. Try to avoid any heavy activity during the day.
2. If you have to go outside, walk in the shade or use an umbrella. Use a hat and scarf to stay cool.
3. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes
4. Drink as many liquids as possible and avoid soft drinks and sugary products.
5. Take cool showers if necessary. When you're out, use a damp cloth or paper towels on your head and neck to keep cool.
6. Keep your environment cool, like your workspace and living space. Take care of young and elderly family members.
7. Avoid sitting in a stationary car or letting someone wait in a car that has been parked or parked in direct sunlight. Studies show that the temperature in a switched off vehicle can be almost twice the outside temperature!
8. At the first sign of headache, dizziness or lack of focus, cramps in the legs or abdomen, go immediately to a cool, shady spot. If possible re-hydrate with cold water, no cold water, ice or chilled drinks. If you are fasting or can not find water in any other way, wait until the heat is gone.

Sources:

1. Schmahl, F.W., & Metzler, B. (1991). The health risks of occupational stress among Muslim industrial workers during the Ramadan Lent. Polish magazine for occupational medicine and environmental hygiene, 4 (3), 219-228.
2. Leiper, J.B., & Molla, A.M. (2003). Effects on the health of fluid restriction during fasting in Ramadan. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 57 (S2), S30.
3. Guidelines of the World Meteorological Organization on defining and monitoring extreme weather and climate events (December 2015)
4. Heat waves and health document from the World Health Organization (2015)