This year’s heatwave has moved up many notch and broke long-standing records. June and July saw heatwaves struck Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Asia, that rose to above 40 degree Celsius in places.
Reports indicate that emissions of greenhouse gases by human activity is causing extreme weather conditions. These conditions are even capable of disrupting human living conditions.
Western Europe experienced fires fuelled by heatwave spread across Portugal, Spain and parts of France. Western Europe was already experiencing severe drought prior to this. Leiria, a town in Portugal experienced temperatures up to 45 degree Celsius on July 13. This had caused more than 30,000 hectares area to burn. Firefighters across the country battled 14 active fires and more than half the country was on red alert.
In Las Hurdes, a town west of Madrid, more than 15,000 hectares have burnt.
On July 3, a portion of the Marmolada Glacier collapsed because of the record heat in Italy. The following avalanche killed 11 hikers.
The Met Office in UK issued extreme heat warnings. Authorities expected temperatures to continue escalating to more than all-time highs.
Temperatures in Iran in the month of July remained high as June. In June, it reached a scorching 52 degree Celsius.
China experienced three heatwaves this summer. This buckled up roads, melted tar and popped off roof tiles. Shanghai Xujiahui Observatory, who has been maintain records since 1873, stated that on July 13, 2022 they recorded its highest temperature ever: 40.9 degree Celsius.
Authorities reported that such extreme heats would directly affect human health and carry along other consequences.
