A recent study conducted by international scientists has found that the searing heat wave that hit southern Asia in April was at least 30 times more likely due to climate change. The temperatures soared up to 45 degrees Celsius in parts of India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Laos, causing various damages and disturbances. The scorching heat resulted in deaths, hospitalizations, damaged roads, fires, and school closures.
The study also revealed that the temperatures were at least 2 degrees Celsius hotter in the region due to climate change. The findings indicate that the manmade climate crisis has made such heatwaves at least 30 times more likely. Consequently, events like the recent humid heatwave in Bangladesh and India can now be expected around once in five years.
Heat action plans need to be implemented faster in India and other heat-affected countries. These plans should include awareness programs, training for healthcare workers, and affordable cooling methods. Comprehensive measures must be implemented to ensure the protection of marginalized people from heatwaves.
The study also found that heatwaves, which were once-a-century events in India and Bangladesh, can now be expected around once every five years due to human-caused climate change. This indicates that drastic measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions immediately are crucial for southern Asia, which is considered among the most vulnerable to climate change in the world.
The study highlights the urgent need for countries to take swift action to mitigate the effects of climate change. It is crucial to implement measures that protect vulnerable communities from the adverse effects of heatwaves. Furthermore, it is essential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to ensure a sustainable future for our planet.
