Climate crisis implications have spread across the sub-continent, whilst temperatures in regions of India and Pakistan have hit record highs.
The average maximally temperature in north-west and central India for April was the highest since records began 122 years ago and reached respectively 35.9 and 37.78 degrees Celsius, according to the National Weather Service (IMD).
New Delhi saw the most recent seven days above 40 degrees Celsius in a row last month
In some states, the heat shut down schools, damaged crops and squeezed power supplies as authorities warned residents to stay indoors and water themselves.
In the towns of Jacobabad and Sibi in southeastern Sindh province, highs of 47 degrees, the Pakistan Meteorological Agency said on Friday.
According to PMD, the maximum temperature recorded that day in any northern hemisphere city was 24.5C (15.6F).
“This is the first time in decades that Pakistan is experiencing what many call a ‘spring-less year,” said Sherry Rehman, the country’s climate change minister.
🧵A short thread : India #Heatwave as forecasted in Heat Stress (the Universal Thermal Climate Index) from ECMWF.
– North India region experiencing highest level of Extreme Heat. There is no time forecasted to be in a normal thermal comfort range.#HeatStress (1/3) pic.twitter.com/HgnJIrmGuL
— Chloe Brimicombe (@ChloBrim) April 26, 2022
A rough sketch of an area with temperatures above 40°C today. Easily over 500 million people in a 40-degree heatwave. pic.twitter.com/OOG7jqrsFo
— Mika Rantanen (@mikarantane) April 28, 2022