2007 Asian heat wave

The 2007 Asian heat wave affected the South Asian countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, as well as Russia and the People's Republic of China.

India

Heat related deaths were reported from the capital New Delhi, northern Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. After three days of intense heat with temperatures hovering over 40 °C (104 °F), New Delhi was relieved as the temperature slid down to 37.2 °C (99.0 °F). [cite news |title= Some respite from heat|url= http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/13/stories/2007061319790300.htm| |publisher= |first= |last= |date= June 13 2007|accessdate = 2007-06-13] Meanwhile, the temperature soared to more than 46 °C (115 °F) at several places in northern Madhya Pradesh, with Datia turning out to be the hottest at 48 °C (118 °F). [cite news |title= Sweltering Heat in Madhya Pradesh Claims Fifteen Lives|url= http://www.medindia.net/news/Sweltering-Heat-in-Madhya-Pradesh-Claims-Fifteen-Lives-22048-1.htm| |publisher=Indian Health News |first= |last= |date= June 13 2007|accessdate = 2007-06-13]

More than 120 peacocks died in Tughlakabad Fort and Surajkund due to the heat, as well as there being severe water shortages.cite news |title= Extreme hot weather taking its toll on birds|url= http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2007/June/subcontinent_June468.xml&section=subcontinent&col=| |publisher=Khaleej Times |first=Ravi S |last=Jha |date= 12 June 2007
accessdate = 2007-06-14] A total of 400 peacocks died in Madhya Pradesh, about 200 of those being in Haryana and Punjab alone.

The cotton crop in Punjab was severely affected by the heat wave. [cite news |title= India - Punjab cotton crop wilts in heat wave |url= http://yarnsandfibers.com/news/index_fullstory.php3?id=12739&p_type=Cotton| |publisher=Business Standard |first= |last= |date= 12 June 2007|accessdate = 2007-06-14] Meanwhile, the persisting heat wave in various parts of Chandigarh rendered milk cattle dry. When the day temperature hovered around +48 °C (118 °F), milk supply to various milk plants of cooperative milk unions went down by 40,000 litres per day.cite news |title= Heat wave dries up milk at source |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070613/main9.htm| |publisher=The Tribune |first= Sarbjit |last= Dhaliwal|date= June 12 2007|accessdate = 2007-06-13] In addition, milk collection by private sector plants had gone down by 160,000 litres during the same period.

Bangladesh

Coming at the end of May, a heat wave left at least 26 people dead.cite news |title= Heat kills 26 in Bangladesh |url= http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2123630,00.html| |publisher= News24.com|first= |last= |date= 03/06/2007 16:40|accessdate = 2007-06-13] According to hospital sources most victims of the heat were rice farmers working in terraces exposed to the blazing sun for long periods. Nearly 200 people, including several children, were admitted to hospitals with symptoms of heat stroke. According to the meteorological office in Dhaka many northern towns showed day temperatures reaching over +40 °C (104 °F), which is not normal in the Bangladeshi summer. Additionally, there was a high level of humidity.

Nepal

A heat wave affected the livelihood of a large number of poverty-stricken families who depend on day outdoor labour done outdoors, such as constructing roads, driving rickshaws, selling vegetables, making quilts and farming. According to the government's Department of Meteorology the temperature in Nepalganj got up as high as +44 °C (111 °F). It is estimated that at least 11 people died.cite news |title= Heat Wave Kills over 400 in South Asia|url= http://pakistantimes.net/2005/06/24/top17.htm| |publisher=Pakistan Times |first= |last= |date= |accessdate = 2007-06-14]

Pakistan

The heat wave over Pakistan was claimed to have brought the death toll there up to 192.cite news |title= 82 more die in Pakistan heat wave|url= http://www.indiaenews.com/pakistan/20070612/55840.htm| |publisher= |first= |last= |date= Tuesday, June 12 2007 04:32 PM IST |accessdate = 2007-06-13] The meteorological department registered a record maximum temperature of +52 °C (126 °F) in Sibi. Four people died as the temperature in Lahore touched +48 °C (118 °F) on June 9, which was a record for the previous 78 years. [cite news |title= Highest temperature in 78 years...|url= http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C06%5C10%5Cstory_10-6-2007_pg13_1| |publisher= Daily Times |first= |last= |date= Sunday, June 10 2007 |accessdate = 2007-06-15]

Russia

The heat waves hit Russia at the end of May. The temperature in Moscow reached +32.9 °C (91.2 °F) on May 27. The Russian capital had not seen such a sustained heat wave for 128 years.cite news |title= Moscow Swelters in Heat Wave|url= http://www.kommersant.com/p769428/r_530/Moscow,_heat_wave/| |publisher=Kommersant.com |first= |last= Buranov, Ivan, Geroyeva, Anna, Kornysheva, Alyona|date= May 29 2007|accessdate = 2007-06-13] On May 28 an absolute temperature record for May was set, breaking the record of +31.8 °C (89.2 °F) that had been registered back in 1891. The heat also affected agriculture, wiping out about 5,000 km² of spring sown fields. [cite news |title= Жара в Волгоградской области отразится на урожайности|url= http://www.volganet.ru/one-news.php?par=11&par1=10442&data=2007-06-13| |publisher=Volganet.ru |first=Наталья |last= Алексеева|date= 2007-06-13|accessdate = 2007-06-13|language=Russian]

Animals at Moscow Zoo found it hard to keep cool. Staff had to prevent walruses from bathing in their pool because the water was too warm for them. [cite news |title= Russians feel the heat as temperature hits new high|url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article1862694.ece| |publisher=The Times |first= Tony |last= Halpin|date= May 31 2007|accessdate = 2007-06-14]

China

Beijing opened up its warren of old air raid shelters to help people escape from the heat. [cite news |title= China turns to shelters to beat the heat|url= http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=143&art_id=nw20070612105538790C934639| |publisher=IOL.co.za |first= |last= |date= June 12 2007 at 02:10PM|accessdate = 2007-06-13] The heat also set off explosives at a chemical plant in Shanxi. The explosions injured hundreds of people nearby.

ee also

*2006 European heat wave
*Global warming

Notes

External links

* [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200706/s1948183.htm ABC coverage]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2962082.stm BBC coverage]
* [http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSDEL29044220070612?feedType=RSS Reuters coverage]
* [http://www.europ-assistance.com/uk/news/default.html?id_actu=295 French heat wave help line of 2007]