Warning Issued as Bangkok’s Heat Index Surpasses 52 Degrees Celsius | Global News

Bangkok, Thailand is currently experiencing scorching temperatures, with authorities issuing an extreme heat warning urging people to stay indoors for their own safety. The mercury is forecasted to hit 39C in the bustling capital, while the heat index has risen above 52C, classified as “extremely dangerous” by city officials.

The heat index takes into account factors like humidity and wind speed to determine what the temperature feels like. 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.”

April is traditionally the hottest and most humid time of the year in Thailand, but this year’s conditions have been worsened by the El Nino weather pattern. The country has been in the grip of a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 44.2C in the northern province of Lampang, just shy of the national record.

Despite the warning, many residents who work outdoors have no choice but to brave the extreme conditions. 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, shared, “It’s very hot. The hot weather this year is the most extreme.”

The government has advised people to stay hydrated, apply sunscreen, and exercise indoors to avoid heatstroke as the hot weather is expected to persist. With global temperatures on the rise, it is crucial for individuals to take precautions to stay safe during this intense heatwave in Bangkok.