High temperature combined with high humidity leads to the enhancement of photochemical reactions.

The Middle East has been hit by a heatwave, with temperatures in many places exceeding 50 degrees Celsius

This summer, many countries and regions in the Middle East have been continuously hit by heat waves. Recently, the highest temperatures in many places have exceeded 50 degrees Celsius, and in some areas, the temperatures have approached or already broken historical records. The continuous high temperature not only endangers the health of local people, but also doubles the pressure on the already overburdened power system in the Middle East.

Data released by the Kuwait Meteorological Authority shows that in the middle and late July, the highest temperatures in many areas of Kuwait exceeded 50 degrees Celsius, with the peak temperature reaching 52 degrees Celsius, approaching the country’s historical highest temperature record of 53.5 degrees Celsius. Experts are calling on the public to minimize going out, especially to avoid direct sunlight during the hot midday and afternoon periods, and to drink enough water to be vigilant against heatstroke and other related diseases.

In accordance with the relevant laws of Kuwait, construction sites and other open-air operation sites have suspended work during specific daytime hours. Furthermore, the government calls on residents to save electricity to prevent power outages caused by an increase in electricity consumption that could overload the power grid.

In Iran, several provinces have entered a “sauna” mode since mid-July. The highest temperature in the southern province of Bushehr has reached 53 degrees Celsius, and in some areas of the southwestern province of Khuzestan, the highest temperature has approached 50 degrees Celsius.

High temperature combined with humidity may cause the perceived temperature to double. Local media reported that the heat index in some areas of Iran has recently reached above 60 degrees Celsius. The heat index is an index that combines air temperature and relative humidity to determine the perceived temperature, and is used to measure the actual heat felt by the body. High temperatures have multiplied the pressure on Iran’s power sector, and power rationing measures have been implemented in some areas to ensure a stable power supply.

Recently, the maximum temperature in several provinces of Iraq, including Basra and Misan, has exceeded 50 degrees Celsius, and in some provinces, the maximum temperature has reached 51 degrees Celsius. Iraq is seriously short of electricity and its power grid is outdated. During the peak electricity consumption period in summer, the power shortage situation has further intensified.

The highest temperature in the capital Baghdad has been above 45 degrees Celsius recently. To escape the heat wave, many citizens in Baghdad have reduced their daytime activities. Citizen Hassan told Xinhua News Agency reporters, “It feels like everything is boiling when I’m out. A raw egg can be ‘fried’ in just a few minutes outdoors. We try to minimize unnecessary outings, but there are often power outages at home. It’s really unbearable.”

According to the Iraqi News Agency, Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani instructed at the end of June that from the end of June to the end of August, the working hours of the government’s public sector should be reduced by one hour. When the temperature reaches 50 degrees Celsius or higher, the provincial governors have the right to order local government agencies to stop working.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service, the EU’s climate monitoring agency, released a report on the 23rd saying that the world just experienced its hottest day since records began in 1940 on July 21st, with an average daily temperature of 17.09 degrees Celsius. The agency said in a report in January this year that 2023 was the hottest year on record. The latest report suggests that although it is too early to make predictions now, 2024 could surpass 2023 to become the hottest year. Experts warn that climate change caused by human activities has made extreme hot weather more common.

As one of the hottest regions in the world, the Middle East is particularly severely affected by climate change. Extreme high-temperature weather has caused damage to crops and reduced yields, further increasing the demand for energy, endangering public health and even having an impact on education. Some countries and regions in the Middle East have had to extend holidays and shorten school hours to cope with the hot weather.