In Southeast Asia, climate experts are predicting that extreme heat will return and last longer than ever before. The sweltering heat is impacting areas most vulnerable to climate change, causing severe droughts and pushing temperatures up to nearly 40 degrees Celsius in some regions.
In Malaysia, at least two heat-related deaths were recorded recently, including a 22-year-old man and a 3-year-old boy who both died from heat stroke. Authorities in Sabah reported nearly 300 fires breaking out in farms, plantations, and forests due to the prolonged duration of the heat wave.
Similarly, in Vietnam, heat caused severe drought in the south, leading to heavy damage to agriculture. Vietnam declared a state of emergency after unusually high temperatures left fields dry. In the Philippines, hundreds of schools had to close after temperatures rose above 42 degrees Celsius.
The current heat wave is attributed to a combination of factors including human-caused climate change and the El Niño phenomenon. Experts from the Swiss climate research organization IQ Air note that this has led to unprecedented high temperatures in the region. The prolonged duration of the heat wave is particularly concerning as extreme heat becomes more common globally.
As governments continue to experience climate extremes, it is crucial for individuals and communities worldwide to take action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adapt to increasingly severe weather patterns.
To prepare for intense sunlight throughout April and May, Thailand has been hit hardest with record-breaking temperatures for 13 months. In Singapore, some schools have started requiring students to wear cool clothes due to persistently high temperatures.
The current heatwave is just one example of how extreme weather patterns can impact vulnerable communities around the world. As we face these challenges head-on, it’s important that we work together towards a sustainable future where we can adapt and thrive in the face of climate change.
