Surviving the Heat: A Day in the Life of a Karachi Motorcycle Driver

In Karachi, extreme heat poses significant challenges for residents, particularly for low-income workers like Shahbaz Ali, who endures demanding 12-hour shifts as a motorcycle driver despite oppressive heat and regular power outages.

In Karachi, the oppressive summer heat poses daily challenges for millions. Shahbaz Ali, a 32-year-old motorcycle driver, begins his day drenched in sweat even before 8 a.m. Under the relentless sun, he must navigate the traffic of Pakistan's largest city, working nearly 12 hours each day. The temperature often exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), and combined with the high humidity from the Arabian Sea, the discomfort is palpable.

“It feels like living in a furnace,” Ali remarked one sweltering day as he meticulously maneuvered through the chaotic streets. The combination of brutal heat and frequent power outages often leaves him sleep-deprived, adding to the strain. Yet his determination to provide for his family pushes him forward. “If I stop working, my family won’t eat,” he explains, embodying the struggle of many poor workers in the area.

The shifting climate and inadequate infrastructure worsen the plight of the city's inhabitants. As Ali heads into one of the most unlivable cities intensified by climate change, he represents countless others enduring similar conditions. Karachi's residents frequently find themselves trapped between the necessity of labor and adverse weather, forcing them to prioritize survival over comfort.

As the sun climbs higher, many locals seek solace on Clifton Beach, but for those like Ali, respite is temporary. The contrast between the glamour of the beach and the reality of his work is stark. In Karachi, survival often comes at the cost of comfort and well-being, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and urban hardship.