Tehran: Iran's Persian Gulf International Airport recently witnessed a record-breaking temperature and reported a heat index of 152 degrees Fahrenheit (66.7 degrees Celsius) on Sunday, a combination of exceptionally high temperature and abundant atmospheric moisture.
Colin McCarthy from US Stormwatch expressed his concern, stating, "Those are intolerable conditions for human/animal life," in a tweet.
This is at par with the warnings climate scientists have been issuing.
This astonishing temperature was observed in Iran as scorching inland heat clashed with humid air flowing from the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. At the time of the reported temperature, the Persian Gulf International Airport recorded 40 degrees Celsius with a relative humidity of 65 percent, resulting in an apparent temperature of 66.7 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists use various equations to estimate the perceived temperature by factoring in air temperature and other atmospheric variables. The widely-used 'heat index' combines air temperature and humidity to assess the impact of hot weather.
Heatwaves have gripped several parts of the world, including the United States, Europe, and Asia, as the effects of climate change intensify. As global temperatures continue to rise, climate scientists warn of catastrophic consequences for the planet.
The Earth's climate is experiencing unprecedented shifts, primarily caused by human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Fossil fuel burning, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices have contributed to the accumulation of greenhouse gases, creating a greenhouse effect that traps heat within the atmosphere and leads to a steady increase in average temperatures.
Extreme heat poses severe risks to human health. Dehydration is a primary concern, as insufficient water intake to compensate for fluids lost through sweating and urination can lead to thickening of the blood, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. High temperatures also exacerbate existing health conditions, putting older individuals and those with chronic ailments at higher risk.
According to a Bloomberg report, July is on track to become the hottest month ever recorded, with numerous historically scorching days. Heatwaves are simultaneously affecting the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia, while the El Nino phenomenon intensifies in the Pacific Ocean. The waters of Florida reached an unprecedented temperature of 32.2 degrees Celsius, and China experienced its highest-ever recorded temperature of 52.2 degrees Celsius in Sanbo township.
Dr. Akshay Deoras, from the University of Reading's meteorology department, warned of more frequent and intense extreme weather events if global temperatures continue to rise at the current rate. He emphasised the urgent need for governments to address global warming, stating that failure to do so could result in Earth becoming an "inferno."