Recent incidence of rain have been relieving us the after the searing days of April and May.
While the wet season officially started on May 29, the rains didn’t come that soon that we stretched our endurance over the discomfort brought about by the hot days until mid-June.
While this part of the world has now its share of reprieve, many other regions are facing the wrath of summer.
Western media outlets reported early this week that almost 100 million Americans have been under extreme heat advisories down to the heat wave felt across the northeastern states and the lower Midwest.
Even in Chicago, known for its ‘humid continental climate’ the heat has been on the rise that my niece expressed a sense of relief that rain came last weekend nights. The Windy City recorded this week as high as about 97 degrees with high humidity, up from the usual 80-95 degrees at this time of the year.
In addition, the soaring temperatures have led to wildfires across Europe and North America, posing threat to tens and thousands of property and lives.
Reuters and Washington Post described the situation as ‘killer temperature’, as it reported “ferocious heat over five continents which likely contributed to hundreds of not thousands of deaths,” adding that “climate change could push this summer to the top of record books as the hottest in 2,000 years.”
In India, heatstroke cases reached more than 40,000 following temperature reading 35.2° Celsius, or 95.4° Fahrenheit.
The worst incident were reported in Mecca, Saudi Arabia where between 600 and 1,000 Hajj pilgrims were reported dead due to heat stroke as temperatures soared over 51° Celsius or 123° F.
About 1.8 million people took part in the June 14-19 pilgrimage.
The British Broadcasting Corporation said the fatalities came from more than two dozen countries, with Egypt having the most deaths.
Reports said more than half of those who died were unregistered pilgrims, who were without access to cooling facilities, like air-conditioned tents and buses.
AFP was reported to have released information from an Arab diplomat that more than 600 Egyptians, had died. Reports further said 200 Indonesians and 98 Indians also passed away.
CNN pointed out that deaths among pilgrims are not uncommon as it cited last year’s fatality as reaching over 200, but it was the swelling temperature this year that caused the loss of many lives.
The Hajj pilgrimage is expected of Muslims – who are physically and financially able – at least once in their lifetime.
During the pilgrimage, participants walk outdoors, as part of the ritual, for five hours per day at the minimum and as many as 12 hours.
The heat wave deaths, the Washington Post summed up, underscore climate threat for the most vulnerable.
As the West endures the heat, the punishing monsoon days and nights ahead of us tell us to brace ourselves and put our guard up as resilient and disaster-prepared citizens of the world.
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To our fun-loving readers: Have a safe ‘San Juan’ Day, observance.
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Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. (Acts 14:17) | NWI
