Recently, Asia has been experiencing high recordings of heat across the populated continent, striking alarm across the globe. India has been one of the most alarming, as they have been experiencing numerous record-breaking highs. This has caused numerous problems with the Indian population as well.

Last year, India experienced record temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit in different regions. A Cambridge study has also found that in 2022, India experienced their hottest April in 122 years and their hottest March on record. These searing heat waves are showing in 2023 as well, and they have been affecting the country since 1992. Approximately 24,000 Indians unfortunately passed because of their increased heat, the study had found.

The poorest of India will suffer the most, as they have little to no protection against the heat waves. Having the most extraneous jobs and working in low-income labor forces or being construction workers also adds to the health risks because of the heat. Many cannot afford proper treatment to heat related health ailments, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Many Indian clinics and hospitals in these regions are poorly equipped to treat these people as well, which only makes matters worse. 

Because of the heat waves, India cannot focus on some of their other major issues, such as promoting education in the country or providing for the poor. The heat waves are interrupting their overall cultural and economic development. India is rapidly developing in their richer areas, such as Dubai, but are struggling in the more rural and impoverished provinces.

If the heat remains the same temperatures today and rising, they will cause major health risks for Indians in the future. The same researchers have found that even being in the shade in India in 2050 can pose possible health risks, as the high amounts of heat are showing no signs of stopping. By the same year, India can even lose 2.8% of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product), and 50 years later could lose 8.7% of its GDP. The Indian Ministry of Labor, in all regions and states for workers in extreme heat, are providing drinking water, emergency ice packs, and are highly recommending frequent rest breaks to help against the heat waves for the low-income labor forces.

Other Asian countries are showing the same signs of high heat as well (mostly other southeast Asian countries), with Laos having their new highest temperature this year of 109 degrees Fahrenheit and Thailand, reaching 113.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Thai authorities have recently issued a health alert, as the heat is predicted to reach 122.4 degrees in the Bang Na district of Bangkok, a highly populated region in Thailand’s capital.

These temperatures are considering humidity with its predictions. The heat waves affect not only humans, but also affect the environment. There are forest fires popping up across the continent. These forest fires are causing respiratory problems, shown by Chiang Mai, a city in Thailand, being rated as the world’s most polluted city for seven days straight because of the smoke of the fires.

Schools are being canceled in Asia because of the heat; it is considered too dangerous for students to be outside. April and May temperatures are typically the hottest of temperatures for Asia, so keeping an eye out on the rates of heat that the continent is experiencing in these months is vastly important for helping the searing heat of Asia.

Some other Asian countries that are being affected by the heat waves are (in Fahrenheit):

• Pakistan: >104
• Myanmar: 111
• Nepal: >104
• Bangladesh: >104
• China: 108

In the future, scientists are predicting that the heat levels in Asia can push the levels of human livability.