A possible public health measure during heat waves is to set up air-conditioned public
cooling centres. Adding air conditioning in schools provides a cooler work place.
[105]
Policymakers, funders and researchers have created the Extreme Heat Resilience
Alliance coalition under the Atlantic Council. This advocates for naming heat waves,
measuring them, and ranking them to build better awareness of their impacts.[106][107]
By country or region
edit
Further information: List of heat waves
Around the world in 2024
edit
This section is an excerpt from List of heat waves § [Link]
Human-caused climate change increased the probability of the 2024 Middle East (West
Asia) heatwave by about a factor of 5 (center chart vs. left chart). In 2024, Earth saw the
[108]
highest average annual surface air temperature ever recorded, outpacing 2023 on an
average basis. [109]
Since March 2024, severe heat waves impacted Mexico, the Southern United States,
and Central America, leading to dozens of broken temperature records,[110] mass deaths
of animals from several threatened species,[citation needed] water shortages requiring rationing,
[111]
increased forest fires, and over 48 deaths in Mexico with over 950 people suffering
from heat-related ailments.[112]
In April 2024 Southeast Asia faced a severe heatwave, resulting in unprecedented high
temperatures of up to 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) that caused school closures and prompted
urgent health advisories throughout the region.[113][114][115]
In April 2024 Bangladesh and neighbouring region faced facing severe heatwaves.
Schools and other institutions were closed due to severe heat across Bangladesh for
the first time in history. On 30 April the temperature in Joshore reached up to 43.8 °C
(110.8 °F). Pitch in roads started melting in the western region due to scorching heat.
Many heat related deaths were recorded across the country.[citation needed]
2024 Indian heat wave – In May–June 2024, the longest heat wave occurred in India
and Pakistan with a new record temperature for India's capital New Delhi of 49 °C
(120 °F) (an even higher record of 53 °C (127 °F) had initially been reported in New
Delhi on 29 May but was later found to be attributable to a faulty sensor), and
temperatures in Pakistan getting as high as 52.2 °C (126.0 °F).[116][117][118]
2024 European heatwaves – In mid-June 2024, Greece experienced a heatwave,
Europe's first heatwave of the year. Temperatures in Greece were forecast to reach to
43 °C (109 °F).[119] Turkey was also affected with temperatures hitting 44 °C (111 °F).
In mid-June, high temperatures in Mecca, characterized as a heat wave, resulted in the
deaths of pilgrims in the city for Hajj from countries including Indonesia, Jordan, Tunisia,
and India.[120][121][122] It was reported that as many as 1300 people may have died.[123] Saudi
authorities said most who died were not officially authorized to perform Hajj.
[124]
Forecasts predicted temperatures as high as 113 °F (45 °C) on 19 June 2024.[122] The
heat also impacted Kuwait, where heightened demand caused officials at the Ministry of
Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy to temporarily stop distribution of electricity to
portions of the nation.[125]
2024 Pakistan heat wave – In June 2024, Pakistan experienced a heat wave.
[126]
The Edhi Foundation in Karachi said it transported a higher-than-normal number of
bodies to the morgue during the period of 20 to 25 June.[127]
During the 2024 Summer Olympics, host city Paris, along with portions of Southern
France and England, experienced a heatwave.[128][129]
2024 Japan heatwaves – At least 59 heat-related deaths were recorded in Japan, with
at least 62 temperature observation posts across Japan breaking temperature records
in July 2024. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the average
temperatures reached during the heatwaves represented the hottest for Japan in April
and July since its record-keeping began in 1898.[130][131]
India
edit
This section is an excerpt from 2024 Indian heat [Link]
From April 2024 to June 2024,[132][133] a severe and long heat wave affected India.[134] The heat
wave occurred during the Indian summer or pre-monsoon, which typically lasts from March
to June, with peak temperatures in April and May. The year marked the third consecutive
year of extreme heat waves in the country, a trend partly attributed to climate change.[132][133]
Churu district in Rajasthan recorded a temperature of 50.5 °C (122.9 °F), the highest in
India in eight years.[135] A temperature of 52.9 °C was recorded in Mungeshpur, Delhi, and
was initially thought to be record-breaking. However, it was later found to be approximately
3 °C too high due to a faulty sensor.[136][137]
Southeast Asia
edit
This section is an excerpt from 2024 Southeast Asia heat [Link]
Since April 2024,[until when?] several Southeast Asian countries have experienced record-
breaking temperatures which have left several people dead.[138][139] Heat indices peaked at
53 °C (127 °F) in Iba in the Philippines on 28 April 2024. The heat wave has been attributed
to a combination of causes, including climate change and El Niño.[138]
In some countries, the high heat has caused excessive energy demand. Drought conditions
have worsened across the region. In Indonesia, dengue infections increased. In Myanmar,
the heat wave exacerbated the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing civil war. Many
government agencies have declared local emergencies and advised safety measures to
protect residents from the heat, and some countries have closed schools or shortened their
hours.
China
edit
A study found the average resident in China was exposed to 16 days of heat waves in
2023, with more than 37,000 heat wave-related deaths. Besides, the number of work hours
lost due to heat stress in China was 36.9 billion in 2023, and China's citizens experienced a
60% surge in lost safe outdoor activity hours, with each person losing 2.2 hours on average
each day. The study predicted that by the 2060s, annual heat wave-related mortality is
expected to reach 29,000 to 38,000 in China, with a 28% to 37% increase in work hours
lost.[140]
United States
edit
US heat waves have increased in frequency, average duration, and intensity.[141]
Also, heat wave seasons have grown in length.[141]
Over decades, the average number of days spent in heat waves in the U.S. annually has increased,
based on increases in both the average annual number of heat waves and on their average durations.[141]
In July 2019, there were over 50 million people in the United States in jurisdictions with heat
advisories. Scientists predicted that many records for highest low temperatures would be
broken in the days following these warnings. This means the lowest temperature in a 24-
hour period will be higher than any low temperature measured before.[142]
A possible public health measure during heat waves is to set up air-conditioned public
cooling centres. Adding air conditioning in schools provides a cooler work place.
[105]
Policymakers, funders and researchers have created the Extreme Heat Resilience
Alliance coalition under the Atlantic Council. This advocates for naming heat waves,
measuring them, and ranking them to build better awareness of their impacts.[106][107]
By country or region
edit
Further information: List of heat waves
Around the world in 2024
edit
This section is an excerpt from List of heat waves § [Link]
Human-caused climate change increased the probability of the 2024 Middle East (West
Asia) heatwave by about a factor of 5 (center chart vs. left chart). In 2024, Earth saw the
[108]
highest average annual surface air temperature ever recorded, outpacing 2023 on an
average basis. [109]
Since March 2024, severe heat waves impacted Mexico, the Southern United States,
and Central America, leading to dozens of broken temperature records,[110] mass deaths
of animals from several threatened species,[citation needed] water shortages requiring rationing,
[111]
increased forest fires, and over 48 deaths in Mexico with over 950 people suffering
from heat-related ailments.[112]
In April 2024 Southeast Asia faced a severe heatwave, resulting in unprecedented high
temperatures of up to 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) that caused school closures and prompted
urgent health advisories throughout the region.[113][114][115]
In April 2024 Bangladesh and neighbouring region faced facing severe heatwaves.
Schools and other institutions were closed due to severe heat across Bangladesh for
the first time in history. On 30 April the temperature in Joshore reached up to 43.8 °C
(110.8 °F). Pitch in roads started melting in the western region due to scorching heat.
Many heat related deaths were recorded across the country.[citation needed]
2024 Indian heat wave – In May–June 2024, the longest heat wave occurred in India
and Pakistan with a new record temperature for India's capital New Delhi of 49 °C
(120 °F) (an even higher record of 53 °C (127 °F) had initially been reported in New
Delhi on 29 May but was later found to be attributable to a faulty sensor), and
temperatures in Pakistan getting as high as 52.2 °C (126.0 °F).[116][117][118]
2024 European heatwaves – In mid-June 2024, Greece experienced a heatwave,
Europe's first heatwave of the year. Temperatures in Greece were forecast to reach to
43 °C (109 °F).[119] Turkey was also affected with temperatures hitting 44 °C (111 °F).
In mid-June, high temperatures in Mecca, characterized as a heat wave, resulted in the
deaths of pilgrims in the city for Hajj from countries including Indonesia, Jordan, Tunisia,
and India.[120][121][122] It was reported that as many as 1300 people may have died.[123] Saudi
authorities said most who died were not officially authorized to perform Hajj.
[124]
Forecasts predicted temperatures as high as 113 °F (45 °C) on 19 June 2024.[122] The
heat also impacted Kuwait, where heightened demand caused officials at the Ministry of
Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy to temporarily stop distribution of electricity to
portions of the nation.[125]
2024 Pakistan heat wave – In June 2024, Pakistan experienced a heat wave.
[126]
The Edhi Foundation in Karachi said it transported a higher-than-normal number of
bodies to the morgue during the period of 20 to 25 June.[127]
During the 2024 Summer Olympics, host city Paris, along with portions of Southern
France and England, experienced a heatwave.[128][129]
2024 Japan heatwaves – At least 59 heat-related deaths were recorded in Japan, with
at least 62 temperature observation posts across Japan breaking temperature records
in July 2024. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the average
temperatures reached during the heatwaves represented the hottest for Japan in April
and July since its record-keeping began in 1898.[130][131]
India
edit
This section is an excerpt from 2024 Indian heat [Link]
From April 2024 to June 2024,[132][133] a severe and long heat wave affected India.[134] The heat
wave occurred during the Indian summer or pre-monsoon, which typically lasts from March
to June, with peak temperatures in April and May. The year marked the third consecutive
year of extreme heat waves in the country, a trend partly attributed to climate change.[132][133]
Churu district in Rajasthan recorded a temperature of 50.5 °C (122.9 °F), the highest in
India in eight years.[135] A temperature of 52.9 °C was recorded in Mungeshpur, Delhi, and
was initially thought to be record-breaking. However, it was later found to be approximately
3 °C too high due to a faulty sensor.[136][137]
Southeast Asia
edit
This section is an excerpt from 2024 Southeast Asia heat [Link]
Since April 2024,[until when?] several Southeast Asian countries have experienced record-
breaking temperatures which have left several people dead.[138][139] Heat indices peaked at
53 °C (127 °F) in Iba in the Philippines on 28 April 2024. The heat wave has been attributed
to a combination of causes, including climate change and El Niño.[138]
In some countries, the high heat has caused excessive energy demand. Drought conditions
have worsened across the region. In Indonesia, dengue infections increased. In Myanmar,
the heat wave exacerbated the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing civil war. Many
government agencies have declared local emergencies and advised safety measures to
protect residents from the heat, and some countries have closed schools or shortened their
hours.
China
edit
A study found the average resident in China was exposed to 16 days of heat waves in
2023, with more than 37,000 heat wave-related deaths. Besides, the number of work hours
lost due to heat stress in China was 36.9 billion in 2023, and China's citizens experienced a
60% surge in lost safe outdoor activity hours, with each person losing 2.2 hours on average
each day. The study predicted that by the 2060s, annual heat wave-related mortality is
expected to reach 29,000 to 38,000 in China, with a 28% to 37% increase in work hours
lost.[140]
United States
edit
US heat waves have increased in frequency, average duration, and intensity.[141]
Also, heat wave seasons have grown in length.[141]
Over decades, the average number of days spent in heat waves in the U.S. annually has increased,
based on increases in both the average annual number of heat waves and on their average durations.[141]
In July 2019, there were over 50 million people in the United States in jurisdictions with heat
advisories. Scientists predicted that many records for highest low temperatures would be
broken in the days following these warnings. This means the lowest temperature in a 24-
hour period will be higher than any low temperature measured before.[142]