India is in the midst of a record heatwave that so far has killed over two thousand people.
Temperatures have reached as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the Southeastern states.
Every year, global death tolls from excessive heat can reach the tens of thousands.
In 2003, during the European heatwave, more than 70,000 heat-related deaths were recorded.
So we wanted to know, what other countries regularly have dangerously high temperatures?
What are the hottest countries in the world?
Well, according to the World Bank, between 1990 and 2009, only a few countries reached
an average peak temperature above 95 degrees Fahrenheit or 35 degrees celsius.
Those countries included Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Mali, Mauritania (Mo-ri-Tay-nia),
and India.
In countries like Algeria and Kuwait, the temperature reached a peak-average of almost
100 degrees fahrenheit, which can put people who are continuously exposed to the sun, at
risk for severe dehydration and heatstroke.
Governments encourage citizens to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day, and to
drink fluids.
These nations contain significant expanses of arid, “hot desert”.
In the vast Sahara Desert, Libyan Desert and Nubian Deserts the daytime temperatures can
remain above 80 degrees Fahrenheit year round.
The Mojave Desert in California currently holds the title for highest recorded temperature.
In 1913, it reached 134.06 degrees celsius.
How do these hot countries cope?
In Qatar, in response to recent high temperatures, public bulletins were sent out, advising people
to use the “buddy system” whenever they left the house, in case someone fainted from
the heat.
Lightweight, light-colored, and loose fitting clothing are also highly recommended.
In Australia after record temperatures in 2013, the government implemented a heatwave
forecast system for the hottest days.
Advance planning can be crucial, because electricity demand on hot days is high.
Crops and livestock can also be affected by the heat.
Right now in India, the government is urging everyone who goes outside to wear a hat or
use an umbrella, and to stay hydrated.
The last decade has been the hottest on record for the world.
And in 2010, global temperatures shot up higher than ever, breaking many previous records.
One Pakistani city reached a peak temperature of 128 degrees Fahrenheit.
The effects of global warming are readily apparent all over the world.
However, even as world leaders begin to curb some carbon emissions, the plague of extreme
heat waves may last for several decades to come.
If you want to get a wider perspective of how heat can affect people, take a look at
this video from Seeker about the largest heatwave in history, or the one below from DNews about
just exactly how heat can be fatal to humans.
Thanks as always for watching, we’ll see you tomorrow… and please subscribe.