The scorching temperatures in Finland have officially reached record-breaking levels this year. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) announced that on Thursday, for the 66th time in 2021, temperatures surpassed 25 degrees Celsius, breaking the country's previous record of 65 hot days in 2002. The FMI, which has been tracking heat data since 1961, reported that the heat wave is expected to continue and temperatures are projected to hit 25 degrees in some areas on Friday and possibly Saturday. This comes after a report from the FMI in July, which revealed that temperatures in central and northern parts of Finland were unusually high.
In an effort to reduce air pollution and combat the heat wave in Delhi, a meeting was held on Tuesday by over 25 government agencies under the leadership of Delhi's Forest and Environment Minister Gopal Rai. The meeting aimed to execute the 12-point Summer Action Plan formulated by the Delhi government, which includes a tree plantation campaign to increase the green belt in the city. The goal is to plant 2 crore saplings in 5 years, with the government claiming to have already exceeded their target in the fourth year of their tenure.
The searing heat in Saudi Arabia has caused death tolls to reach over 1,000 during the hajj, the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Out of the 1.8 million people who made the journey, 1.6 million were from foreign countries. The heat wave, with temperatures rising up to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, was cited as the primary reason for the fatalities. Despite these challenges, Saudi Arabia has worked to provide advanced cooling systems for all pilgrims on the hajj. However, the lunar calendar has placed the event during the hottest time of the year, leading to concerns about climate change and the safety of pilgrims, especially the elderly and those with health issues.
A total of 658 Egyptians have been reported to have passed away during this year's hajj pilgrimage, with 58 of those deaths occurring on Thursday due to extreme heat. The Saudi summer heat reached a record high of 51.8C (125F), leading to the deaths of over 1,000 pilgrims from 10 different countries. Many of the victims were unregistered pilgrims who could not afford official permits, making them more vulnerable to the intense weather conditions. The Egyptian government has sent officials to hospitals to assist their citizens and address the rising number of deaths.
As heatwave conditions continue to persist in most parts of north India, Delhi's Narela weather station set a new record by recording a temperature of 47.1 degrees Celsius. The capital city sweltered under intense heat, with Safdarjung observatory noting a high of 43.8°C. The India Meteorological Department has issued an "orange" alert for Delhi, urging people to "be prepared" for extreme weather conditions. Other cities in Uttar Pradesh, such as Prayagraj and Varanasi, also recorded high temperatures above 45°C.
As a heatwave sweeps across India, 40+ suspected deaths have been reported, with 25 casualties among poll staff in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. These fatalities have also been recorded in other states such as Odisha, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan, bringing the total number of heat-related deaths to five. The soaring temperatures have also caused water scarcity in some parts of the country, leading to long queues and difficulty in securing enough water for daily needs. The India Meteorological Department predicts some relief in the coming days but heatwave conditions are still prevalent in many regions.
As the summer heat intensifies, India and Sri Lanka have both been hit hard by soaring temperatures. In India, nearly 25,000 cases of suspected heatstroke have been reported, with 56 fatalities. The situation has been exacerbated by the recent general election, which saw at least 33 deaths among election officials. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is struggling with extreme weather conditions, including flooding and landslides, which have claimed the lives of 15 people so far. This devastating impact of the heat and monsoon season serves as a grim reminder of the effects of climate change in South Asia.
As temperatures in India reached a scorching 50 degrees Celsius and claimed the lives of 56 people, parts of the country also faced the destructive force of Cyclone Remal. Meanwhile, heavy monsoon rains in Sri Lanka have caused landslides and floods, resulting in 15 deaths. The extreme weather has been attributed to human-driven climate change and has also affected the Indian general election, with 33 people dying from suspected heatstroke while on duty. The situation is expected to improve in the coming days, but experts warn that the effects of climate change will continue to threaten the region.
The Indian Meteorological Department forecasts a decrease in heatwave intensity over the next three days in parts of India. Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest temperature at 46.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Sirsa and Ganganagar at 45.4 degrees Celsius. However, the capital city of Delhi saw a maximum temperature of 42.8 degrees Celsius and may experience relief from the heat in the coming days. The weather office also predicts light to moderate rain in some parts of Rajasthan which could provide further relief from the intense heat.
A dangerous heatwave has struck large parts of northern and central India, with some areas recording record-breaking temperatures. The Safdarjung observatory in Delhi recorded a scorching 46.8 degrees Celsius, the highest in 79 years, while other regions saw even higher temperatures, prompting an investigation by the IMD. Relief is expected in the coming days with the help of a western disturbance bringing moisture and rainfall to the region. Meanwhile, the south experienced mild temperatures and rainfall, with Goa reporting relatively cooler conditions.