Bangkok’s Heat Index Crosses 52 Degrees Celsius, Warning Issued
Thai authorities issued an extreme heat warning for Bangkok on Wednesday as temperatures soared, with the heat index crossing 52 degrees Celsius, classified as “extremely dangerous” by city authorities.
The mercury was forecast to hit 39 degrees Celsius in the sprawling Thai capital, making it one of the hottest and most humid times of the year in Thailand. The El Nino weather pattern has exacerbated conditions this year, leading to a sweltering heatwave.
The Bangkok city authority’s environment department took to Facebook to warn residents, stating, “Warning: the heat index today is ‘extremely dangerous’. Please avoid activities outdoors.” The heat index is a measure of what the temperature feels like, factoring in humidity, wind speed, and other elements.
Despite the warning, many residents who make their living on the streets of the city have no choice but to endure the scorching heat. Motorcycle taxi driver Boonsri Waenkaew expressed, “I feel like almost fainting when I work outdoors these days but I don’t have any choice, do I?”
Food hawker Buppha Nakhin, grilling meatballs at a street stall in downtown Bangkok, shared, “It’s very hot. The hot weather this year is the most extreme. Sometimes I feel dizzy but (did) not faint yet.”
The government has advised people to stay hydrated, apply sunscreen, and exercise indoors to avoid heatstroke as the hot weather is expected to persist in the coming days. The United Nations weather and climate agency highlighted that Asia is warming at a particularly rapid pace, emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate change.