Climate Crisis Made Crippling April Heatwave In South Asia 45 Times More Likely: Scientists

India, Philippines, Bangladesh others endured record-breaking temp, prompting health warnings

Annu Mishra kept her modest food stall shut as temperatures in Odisha's Bhubaneswar remained above 40 degrees Celsius for 17 consecutive days in April.

This streak was the longest since 1969, severely impacting health and livelihoods.

"The crippling heat made it extremely difficult to stand near the gas stove," said 51-year-old Mishra, noting that the only time her food stall remained shut for such a long duration was after Cyclone Fani in 2019.

Similar heatwaves could occur once every 30 years and they have already become about 45 times more likely due to climate change, leading climate scientists said on Wednesday, citing historical weather data. The team of scientists, called the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group, emphasised that heatwaves intensified by climate change are making life much tougher for people living in poverty across Asia.