Bangkok Heatwave: 52°C threat amid 30 deaths spark urgent warning

With temperatures soaring above 52 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit), reporting 30 heat stroke-related deaths from January 1 to April 17, a stark comparison to the 37 recorded throughout 2023 Bangkok city authorities issued an extreme heat warning, signaling the blistering conditions gripping the Thai capital. Amid the concrete jungle, Wednesday saw mercury levels reach 40.1°C, with similar forecasts for Thursday.

This scorching wave engulfing parts of South and Southeast Asia triggered drastic measures, with schools in the Philippines shuttering their doors and worshippers in Bangladesh fervently praying for respite from the swelter. The heat index, indicating what the temperature feels like factoring in humidity and wind speed, soared to "extremely dangerous" levels in Bangkok, as warned by the city‍‍`s environment department. Meanwhile, Udon Thani province in rural northeast Thailand braced for blazing temperatures on Thursday.

Direk Khampaen, deputy director-general of Thailand‍‍`s Department of Disease Control, emphasized the urgency for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, to remain indoors and stay hydrated. As April typically marks the peak of the region‍‍`s heat, exacerbated this year by the El Niño weather pattern, the specter of scorching temperatures looms large, underscoring the global trend of rising heat stress.