Beijing, China – Beijing and several cities in northern China are grappling with unprecedented heat this year, with temperatures soaring above normal levels. Areas such as Beijing, Hubei, and Tienchin have witnessed scorching heat, with the mercury repeatedly crossing the 40-degree Celsius mark in June and July. This intensity of heat and heatstroke is relatively new to these regions, further emphasizing the severity of this year’s weather patterns.
The sweltering conditions have led to the issuance of red alerts in Beijing and other affected cities, indicating the severity of the heatwave. While the northern regions of China battle extreme heat, southern China is grappling with heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding. Similarly, neighboring country India has also experienced devastating rains and floods in its northern states. These extreme weather events, reports Global Times, ranging from floods to droughts and intense heat, have become increasingly prevalent across numerous countries in recent years.
Meteorologists attribute such weather phenomena to global warming, an explanation that has been consistently put forth by experts. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a warning, stating that temperatures and heatwaves may intensify in various parts of the world. This prediction comes as an El Niño weather pattern emerges in the tropical Pacific after a seven-year hiatus, exacerbating the situation.
WMO Secretary-General Petri Taalas highlights that the onset of El Niño is expected to break temperature records across regions and oceans worldwide, subjecting people to scorching heat. The seriousness of the Meteorological Organization’s warning is evident as the Earth’s temperature has been steadily rising over the past years, resulting in adverse weather conditions and substantial loss of life and property.
Wei Kh, a researcher at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, acknowledges the complexity of pinpointing the exact cause behind the temperature rise and intense heat in these regions. However, it is widely accepted that global warming plays a significant role in driving such weather patterns. This recurring phenomenon, occurring every two to seven years and lasting for 9 to 12 months, emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change.
El Niño, characterized by elevated water surface temperatures in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, contributes to the occurrence of tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, and severe droughts. The repetition of such weather conditions worldwide serves as a stark warning for humanity, emphasizing the pressing need to address and mitigate the impacts of global warming.
