People seek refuge from the heat by a fountain in Madrid, Spain, on May 24, 2026. Photo: THX/VNA
Extreme heatwave spreads
According to The Guardian, many countries in Europe are experiencing unusually high temperatures as early as the end of May. According to Euronews, temperatures in many parts of Southern and Southwestern Europe are 12-16 degrees Celsius higher than the multi-year average. Areas in Portugal, Spain, and France are forecast to potentially record daytime temperatures as high as 38 degrees Celsius. Many localities have been placed under heatwave warnings.
Not only Southern Europe, but many northern countries such as Germany and the UK also recorded temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, a rare occurrence at the end of May. On May 25th, the United Kingdom recorded its highest May temperature ever, with temperatures near London reaching 33.5 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 32.8 degrees Celsius set in 1922 and 1944.
Meanwhile, South Asia continues to be one of the world's most severe heatwave hotspots. The prolonged heatwave is affecting hundreds of millions of people in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, pushing temperatures in many areas to 45-50 degrees Celsius.
In Pakistan, at least 10 heat-related deaths have been reported in Karachi. In India, the state of Telangana said at least 16 people have died from heatstroke since the start of summer. The prolonged heatwave is also putting immense pressure on the power grid in the world's most populous country, with electricity demand constantly reaching new records.
In Southeast Asia, many countries are experiencing unusually high temperatures. Malaysia forecasts temperatures in the north of the country could reach 37 degrees Celsius. Authorities have confirmed two heat-related deaths. In early May, the Malaysian Ministry of Health reported 56 cases of heat-related illnesses nationwide and warned that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can have serious health consequences.
Also in early May, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, recorded its first heatwave classified as "extremely dangerous" this summer. Outdoor temperatures sometimes reached 38 degrees Celsius, but the perceived temperature could exceed 52 degrees Celsius due to high humidity.
In Vietnam, the northern and central regions are experiencing a widespread and intense heatwave. Temperatures in many areas have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, reaching their highest levels since the beginning of the season. Experts predict the heatwave will continue for several more days, and that this summer could be significantly hotter than the average for previous years.
People travel under the scorching sun in Amritsar, India. Photo: ANI/VNA.
The "heat dome" phenomenon and the impact of climate change.
According to meteorological experts, one of the main reasons for the unusually early and intense heatwave currently affecting many areas is the phenomenon of a "heat dome".
Anjal Prakash, research director at India's Bharti Institute for Public Policy, said high-pressure systems are prevalent in many areas, trapping hot air near the surface like a dome and preventing it from rising to cool.
According to him, the sinking air stream is compressed and heated adiabatically, hindering cloud formation. This causes solar heat to continue accumulating near the ground, resulting in a sharp increase in daytime temperatures and unusually high nighttime temperatures.
The "heat dome" phenomenon is also considered a major cause of the unusually hot spells in Western Europe. Forecasters say the hot air mass could continue to intensify in the coming days as the high-pressure area above remains stable. Experts from Severe Weather Europe believe a "very strong and rare heat dome" is currently covering Western and Central Europe.
Besides the "heat dome," other climatic factors also contribute to the worsening heatwave. Mr. Prakash noted that lower-than-normal rainfall before the rainy season, along with prolonged El Niño-like weather patterns, has diminished the atmosphere's natural cooling capacity.
According to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the El Niño phenomenon forms when sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly off the west coast of the United States, become significantly warmer than usual, accompanied by a weakening of trade winds.
People escape the heat on the beach in Brighton, England. Photo: THX/VNA
Responding to extreme temperatures
In response to the prolonged heatwave, many countries have implemented emergency measures to mitigate risks to public health and infrastructure.
In India, Kartikeya Bhatotia, a research fellow at the South Asia Mittal Institute at Harvard University, said the country is considered a pioneer in developing "Heat Action Plans" at the city level. These plans include early warning systems, provision of drinking water, construction of cooling centers, public warnings, and mandatory breaks for outdoor workers. However, he cautioned that current measures are still insufficient to protect the most vulnerable groups, particularly informal workers and day laborers.
In Pakistan, climate expert Fahad Saeed in Islamabad expressed concern about the level of preparedness and transparency in compiling statistics on heatwave damage. He argued that the government needs to release accurate data so that the international community can properly assess the scale of the crisis and support the development of effective adaptation measures.
In Europe, many cities are also stepping up measures to cope with the high temperatures. In Spain, where temperatures have sometimes reached 45 degrees Celsius, health officials are advising people to limit their time outdoors during the hottest hours of the day and to stay well-hydrated.
Meanwhile, the authorities in Paris have deployed additional misting systems and covered resting areas in public spaces to help people escape the heat. According to Paris Deputy Mayor Dan Lert, temperatures in Paris could reach 50 degrees Celsius in the coming years, making urban redesign to adapt to the heat a pressing need to protect public health and enhance resilience to climate change.
According to VNA
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/the-gioi-ung-pho-voi-nang-nong-khac-nghiet-a487072.html
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