This year is likely to go down as Myanmar’s hottest year so far, as temperatures in at least 10 cities have broken 40oC, according to figures released by the meteorological department.
On April 18th, places like Kalewa and Nyaung-U saw temperatures exceeding 44oC. Kale, Tamu, Mingin, Monywa, Myinmu, Myingyan, Chauk and Pakokku all saw a highs of 43 to 44oC.
The hottest regions are mostly in the middle of Myanmar, with places such as the Sagaing Region seeing temperatures up to seven degrees higher than average.
Some temperatures, in places such as Tamu, have been record breaking. Tamu has seen the highest temperature so far, at 44oC, the hottest it has been in four decades and surpassing the previous record of 43.2oC.
According to El Dorado Weather, an international website which provides information on weather around the globe, Myanmar’s city of Chauk has been one of the hottest cities on earth.
On April 21st, Niger’s N’Guimi topped the list at 55.6oC, with Chauk coming in 3rd with 45.5oC and Nyaung-U 11th with 44oC.
Myanmar’s weather has become noticeably hotter since Thingyan, in the middle of April, with deaths reported as a direct result of the weather.
Even in Yangon, where temperatures are slightly lower at 41oC, at least two deaths from heat stroke have been reported.
Record-breaking hot weather, coupled with frequent planned and unplanned power outages, guarantees that many in Myanmar will have to bear the brunt of the heat, even at night.
