High temperatures force “climate confinement” in some Asian countries

According to news released by Hoffpostto the extreme temperatures caused by climate change are causing some countries, especially Asian ones, to take drastic measures like “climatic confinement” through school closures and recommendations for citizens take refuge at home to protect yourself from the heat.

According to climatologist Maximiliano Herrera, Asia, in April, experienced its worst heat wave in historyin fact, some countries such as the Philippines, Bangladesh and Thailand have already began implementing these measures to protect the population from record temperatures.

Climate change and extreme weather impacts hit Asia most significantly

In Manila, the capital of the Philippines, the thermometer reached 38.8 °C. With such high temperatures and the imminence of a general transport strike, the Philippine Department of Education announced the suspension of in-person classes in more than 47,000 educational establishmentsmoving classes to virtual sessions.

In February and March the region had already suffered due to the heat, with markers exceeding 30 ºC, well above the seasonal average. In Bangladesh, also affected by sweltering temperatures of 42°C, the decision was also taken to close schools across the country.

Asia is warming faster than the global average. The warming trend has nearly doubled since the period 1961-1990.

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Asia is the region in the world most affected by the effects of climate change, with an accelerated increase in temperatures. Assign this condition to human-induced climate change and El Niño (climatic phenomenon characterized by the abnormal warming of Pacific waters).

Massive climate confinement

In addition to the closure of schools, several countries have urged their citizens to stay at home to avoid the risks associated with extreme heat.

The massive confinement was reflected in the increased demand for electricitywhich has reached record levels in countries like Thailand, where electrical resources are in short supply.

The WMO also appealed to governments to return school hours to what they were before the Covid-19 pandemic, so that students have vacations during the warmer monthsand wants the schools build more resistant rooms.

Schools and companies also need find ways to adapt to global warmingencouraging people to use looser, more comfortable clothes and changing your schedule so that everyone can go to work or school, when temperatures are less intense.

Climate change expert Rose Perez, former head of the Philippine meteorological agency, advised people to be more attentive to governments’ early warning signs of extreme temperatures and stay hydrated. Furthermore, he suggested that companies grant rest periods to workers exposed to the weather.

Water and electricity consumption affected

But, in addition to changing the routine of populations, the intense heat is affecting local agriculturedue to the decrease in water supply. At Indonesia and in Vietnam, Rice production, a staple food for the inhabitants, has been heavily affected.

However, this This is not the first time that governments have taken extreme measures due to adverse weather conditions. In Colombia, faced with a historic drought, it was declared a day off in the public sector to reduce water and electricity consumption.