Multan, Punjab, Pakistan - May 25, 2024

Storyline:
The authorities in Pakistan's Punjab Province have warned of severe health risks amid an intense heatwave in its southern districts, urging people to take precautions and avoid going outdoors during hottest hours.

According to the Ministry of Climate Change, the ongoing heatwave, which has caused school shutdowns and extended hospital hours, is expected to go on until June 20.

In Multan City, the mercury has reached the 47 degrees Celsius mark, a temperature that people can get heatstroke within three to four seconds of exposure to the sun.

The Nishtar Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Multan, has been seeing rising number of heatwave patients these days.

It has set up a special desk for the heatwave patients, with an emergency room operating around the clock to treat patients of dehydration, diarrhea and other heat-related diseases.

Health professionals are urging people to take special care during the heatwave by drinking plenty of water, avoiding strenuous activities during peak heat hours, wearing lightweight clothing, and using fans or air conditioning when possible.

Shotlist:
Multan City, Punjab Province, Pakistan - May 25, 2024:
1. Various of people staying in shade;
2. Various of people buying, drinking cold beverage;
3. Beverage vendors;
4. Gate of hospital;
5. Various of people in hospital;
6. Heatwave patients counter;
7. Hospital employees talking;
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Farooq Ahmad, medical superintendent, Nishtar Hospital (starting with shot 7/partially overlaid with shots 9-10/ending with shot 11):
"These days the temperature is rising already, it's almost touching 48 and 47, so the patients are coming with minor symptoms. During summer, we face two things, one is the heatwave, the other is the diarrhea season, both basically cause for dehydration and the losses and everything."
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
9. Sign of director of Accident and Emergency Department of hospital;
10. Traffic, pedestrians;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
11. Patient in bed;
12. Various of people in emergency room;
13. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) patient (name not given) (starting with shot 12):
"It's really tough. I try to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day and drink lots of water."
14. Patient in bed;
15. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) patient (name not given) (starting with shot 14):
"I've been feeling dizzy and tired. It's hard to keep up with my daily activities in this heat. I'm a motor mechanic, my job is very tough."
16. Various of people in emergency room
17. People talking with doctor;
18. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Dr. Hafiz Ayub Qazi, deputy superintendent, Nishtar Hospital (starting with shot 17):
"We try our best to inform people about the dangers of heatstroke. We tell them to look after themselves and not to leave their homes unnecessarily."
19. Pedestrians, ambulance;
20. People moving bed for transporting patients;
21. Ambulance running on road;
22. Aerial shot of cityscape, traffic.

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