Heatwave-stricken Asia warming faster than global average
BANGKOK: Large swathes of Asia are sweltering through a heatwave that has topped temperature records from Myanmar to the Philippines and forced millions of children to stay home from school.
Here are some questions and answers about the extreme heat, which scientists warn will become more frequent and intense because of human-induced climate change.
The heat has hit much of South and Southeast Asia, with record temperatures in Myanmar’s Chauk and the Philippine capital Manila in recent days.
Thai authorities have issued warnings about “severe conditions”, while authorities in Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, India and Bangladesh all forecast temperatures above 40°C.
The Philippines and Bangladesh both suspended inperson classes, while India is reviewing whether heat has affected turnout in national elections.
The months preceding the region’s monsoon, or rainy season, are usually hot, but temperatures this year are well above average in many countries.
Experts say climate change is causing more frequent heatwaves that are more intense and last longer.
Asia is also warming faster than the global average, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, a United Nations agency.
And the El Nino weather phenomenon is playing a role this year, said Milton Speer, a meteorologist and visiting research fellow at the University of Technology Sydney.
“The lack of cloud in El Ninos means that temperatures are likely to be higher on average.”
Sea surface temperatures in the region are currently several degrees Celsius above normal, “which helps keep the temperatures higher than average inland overnight”.
“So daytime temperatures start climbing from a higher base.”
There are other factors at play too, including deforestation that reduces shade and increases dry surface area, and the urban heat island effect, where concrete, glass and steel structures absorb rather than reflect heat.