New Delhi, May 15 : A recent rapid attribution analysis conducted by an international team of climate scientists reveals that extreme temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in April across Asia were significantly intensified by human-caused climate change. This study, led by the World Weather Attribution group, underscores the alarming impact of heatwaves on billions of individuals across the continent.
Asia witnessed severe heatwaves last April, with countries like Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam breaking records for their hottest April day, alongside the Philippines experiencing its hottest night ever. In India, temperatures soared as high as 46 degrees Celsius, while West Asian nations like Palestine and Israel also grappled with temperatures above 40 degrees.
The study notes that April marked the hottest on record globally, extending an alarming trend of consecutive months breaking temperature records. Heat-related deaths were reported across the region, with Bangladesh, India, and Gaza bearing the brunt of fatalities. However, due to underreporting, the actual toll is presumed to be significantly higher.
Moreover, the heatwave triggered crop failures, livestock losses, water shortages, and other adverse impacts, exacerbating the challenges faced by communities already vulnerable to climate change.
Attributing the intensification of these extreme temperatures to human-induced climate change, the analysis warns that without substantial emissions reductions, Asia could witness even more frequent and intense heatwaves in the coming decades. The study highlights the urgent need for concerted global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius to mitigate the escalating risks posed by extreme heat in the region.
Conducted by a team of 13 researchers from various universities and meteorological agencies worldwide, including Malaysia, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Britain, the study underscores the critical importance of immediate action to address the climate crisis.
Mariam Zachariah, a researcher at the Grantham Institute — Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London, emphasized the urgent need for aggressive emission reduction measures to prevent further escalation of extreme heat-related impacts in Asia.
The findings of this study serve as a stark reminder of the pressing need for global cooperation and decisive action to combat climate change and protect vulnerable communities across Asia from its devastating consequences.
