The sustained heatwave in India and Pakistan is quite dangerous
India and Pakistan are experiencing an intense and sustained heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 46°C in many areas. This extreme weather has led to record electricity demand and worsened drought conditions, affecting millions. The combination of high temperatures and humidity poses significant health risks, resulting in numerous heat-related fatalities.
- ▪Daily maximum temperatures have topped 46°C in many locations across India and Pakistan.
- ▪The heatwave has claimed at least 37 lives in India and 10 in Pakistan, with actual numbers likely being higher due to underreporting.
- ▪Persistent high-pressure weather systems are trapping hot air and suppressing cooling rain, exacerbating the heat conditions.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
India and Pakistan are no strangers to heat. This time of year is the worst, as heat peaks before the monsoon brings cooler conditions from June. But this year’s heat is something else. Intense, sustained heat began in mid-April. Daily maximum temperatures have topped 46°C in many locations, with some areas running around 5-to-8°C above seasonal norms. The unrelenting heat has driven record demand for electricity in India as people turn on air conditioners – and worsened drought conditions affecting more than a million square kilometers across both countries. When extreme heat combines with humidity, it can be lethal. Human bodies cannot cool themselves easily in these conditions. The heatwave has claimed at least 37 lives in India and 10 in Pakistan.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Asia Times.
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