A blistering heatwave has brought trading activities and daily life to a near halt across the city, with markets, commercial centers, and public spaces remaining eerily deserted due to soaring temperatures. On Sunday, the scorching sun kept both customers and vendors away, leaving businesses struggling amid the oppressive heat.
From morning until sunset, market activity dropped sharply as shopkeepers endured the sweltering conditions, fanning themselves in vain while waiting for buyers. Even birds sought shelter under dense trees, with the skies unusually empty as temperatures climbed between 45°C and 47°C.
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In response to the crisis, the Citizen Action Council has urged residents to place water bowls and grains in shaded areas to help birds survive the extreme weather—a gesture considered an act of ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah). Meanwhile, the prolonged heat and lack of rain have caused a decline in groundwater levels, with reports of delicate bird species succumbing to the harsh conditions.
The heat has also disrupted labor-intensive work, severely affecting daily-wage earners and loaders. Additionally, after Eidul Azha, reduced purchasing power and the extreme weather have kept shoppers indoors, with many opting for small neighborhood purchases instead of visiting wholesale markets. Some only venture out after sunset, but even then, business remains sluggish.
As the heat persists, prayers for rain have intensified in homes, mosques, imambargahs, and churches, with residents desperately hoping for relief from the unrelenting weather.
