Record-Breaking Heat Wave Plagues Southeast Asia: Experts Warn of Long-Term Impacts

In Southeast Asia, climate experts are predicting that extreme heat will return and last longer in the most vulnerable areas to climate change. This has already been seen in Malaysia, where at least two heat-related deaths have occurred, including a 22-year-old man and a 3-year-old boy who died from heat stroke. Sabah, a state in Malaysia, reported nearly 300 fires in February due to extreme heat.

In Vietnam, severe drought caused by the heat has led to significant damage to agriculture, with temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius. The Philippines and Singapore have also been impacted by soaring temperatures, with schools closing and measures being taken to combat the heat.

Thailand has been particularly hard hit by this heat wave, with record-breaking temperatures and intense heat and humidity persisting for 13 months. The country entered its annual dry season on April 3, with Bangkok reaching temperatures of around 42.8 degrees Celsius. Climate experts warn that the region needs to prepare for intense sunlight throughout April and May as the current heat wave is believed to be a result of a combination of factors, including human-caused climate change and the El Nino phenomenon. Experts from the Swiss climate research organization IQ Air have noted unprecedented high temperatures in the region.

As extreme heat becomes more common globally, experts are concerned about the prolonged duration of this heat wave in Southeast Asia. The world continues to experience climate records being broken, with the current heat wave being particularly worrisome for this region. It is advised that Southeast Asia prepares for the ongoing heatwave which is expected to persist for the coming months.