Thailand’s authorities issue extreme heat warnings amid record-breaking temperatures in Asia
- The advice is to avoid going outside after the heat index – which includes relative humidity and measures what the temperature feels like – hit 54ºC in Bangkok
- Several Asian countries are reporting record-breaking temperatures this month, causing power cuts and shortages for millions
Thai authorities on Saturday warned residents across large swathes of the country, including the capital Bangkok, to avoid going outdoors due to extreme heat.
Parts of Asia are reporting extreme heat this month, with record-breaking temperatures seen in some countries. In Bangladesh and parts of India, extreme heat is leading to surge in power demand, causing power cuts and shortages for millions of people.
In the Bagna district of Bangkok, the temperature reached 42º C (100º F), while the heat index – which includes relative humidity and measures what the temperature feels like – hit a record 54ºC (129ºF), according to the meteorological department.
“Sometimes, I take refuge in the 7-Eleven convenience store … to escape the heat,” Amporn Supasert, 67, a grilled chicken vendor in Bangkok, said.
Thailand’s department of disaster prevention and mitigation said that temperatures will exceed 40ºC in at least 28 provinces on Saturday.