Over the weekend, several Southeast Asian cities experienced record-breaking heat as global climate change exacerbated heat waves and air pollution.
Tuong Duong in Vietnam saw an unprecedented high of 111.6°F (44.2°C) on Sunday, while Luang Prabang in Laos recorded 110.3°F (43.5°C) on Saturday, according to the Thai Meteorological Department. Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, also hit a record of 105.8°F (41°C) over the weekend.
Singapore matched its all-time high of 98.6°F (37°C) on Saturday, a record set 40 years ago, according to the National Environment Agency.
Southeast Asia is particularly susceptible to climate change, which is causing more intense heat waves and worsening air pollution. This combination of extreme heat and elevated smog levels increases the risk of heat-related illnesses and respiratory problems.
Singapore matches a 40-year-old temperature record, highlighting the region’s climate crisis.The extreme temperatures this year can be attributed to several factors, including reduced winter rainfall and the El Niño weather pattern, which typically brings hotter and drier conditions.
Normally, the hottest period in Southeast Asia is from March to May, during the dry season when temperatures often exceed 100°F (38°C). This season usually ends with the arrival of the monsoon, bringing cooler temperatures and rain.
However, a 2022 study in “Communications Earth & Environment” predicts that dangerously high temperatures could become three to ten times more frequent by the end of the century.
Tropical regions, including much of Asia, might experience twice as many days with extreme heat, potentially reaching 124°F (51°C).
Alongside rising temperatures, Asia also faces risks from flooding, drought, and typhoons. Globally, 2022 was among the hottest years on record, marked by increased ocean heat and near-record low sea ice coverage in Antarctica.