Bangkok: Following weeks of scorching weather in the area, the health ministry announced on Friday ( May 10 ) that 61 people had died from heatstroke in Thailand so far this year, more than any other year in 2023.
In recent months, Thailand has experienced a flood of extremely hot weather, which has caused government to issue warnings about scorching warm weather almost everyday.
Since the start of 2024, 61 people have died from sunstroke, compared to 37 total in 2023, according to the health ministry’s report on Friday.
Thailand’s north- the agrarian heartland- saw the highest number of deaths, the department said.
Scientists have long warned that heatwaves will be more regular, lasting, and intense due to human-induced climate change.
The World Meteorological Organization reports that Asia is warming faster than the average, despite the El Nino trend contributing to this year’s extremely hot weather.
Apichart Vachiraphan, lieutenant of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, warned persons with underlying medical conditions to restrict their time outdoors.
The kingdom’s monsoon season shortened this season, with scorching hot conditions lasting longer than usual.
This year, winds have impacted parts of the kingdom, lowering the temperature but causing flash flood warnings from the authorities.
In April, the country recorded a heat of 44.2 degrees Celsius in the northeastern province of Lampang- only shy of the all- time regional record of 44.6 , degrees Celsius , next year.