Bangkok, Thailand—Authorities in the Thai capital issued an extreme heat warning on Wednesday, urging residents to stay indoors as temperatures and humidity levels surged. The forecast predicted temperatures reaching 39 degrees Celsius, with the heat index soaring above 52 degrees Celsius, a level classified as “extremely dangerous” by city officials.
The heat index, which measures the perceived temperature based on humidity, wind speed, and other factors, indicated a potentially hazardous situation. The Bangkok city authority’s environment department issued a warning on social media, stating: “Warning: the heat index today is ‘extremely dangerous’. Please avoid activities outdoors.”
Thailand typically experiences its hottest and most humid weather in April, but this year’s conditions have been exacerbated by the El Niño weather pattern. The country has been enduring a severe heatwave, with temperatures hitting 44.2 degrees Celsius in the northern province of Lampang earlier this week, just below the national record of 44.6 degrees Celsius.
While authorities urged residents to stay indoors for their safety, many who work on the streets do not have that luxury. Motorcycle taxi driver Boonsri Waenkaew shared his experience with AFP, saying, “I feel like almost fainting when I work outdoors these days, but I don’t have any choice, do I?” Similarly, food hawker Buppha Nakhin, who grills meatballs at a street stall in downtown Bangkok, expressed her struggles with the heat, noting, “It’s very hot. The hot weather this year is the most extreme. Sometimes I feel dizzy but [did] not faint yet.”
As the heatwave continues, the government has advised people to stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and exercise indoors to avoid heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. This warning comes amid global concerns about rising temperatures and climate change. The United Nations weather and climate agency announced on Tuesday that Asia is warming at an especially rapid pace.
Residents are urged to take precautions and minimize outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. The authorities are also working to ensure that vulnerable populations, including the elderly and outdoor workers, are protected from the extreme heat.
