Climate Impacts: Global extreme weather events this week

Let's explore the extreme weather events that have unfolded worldwide during the week from April 24-30, driven by the rise in global warming.

Vietnam: Heatwave 

A heatwave had engulfed southern Vietnam, with daytime temperatures nearing 40°C and triggering a spike in electricity consumption. Authorities have advised the public to take precautions against heat-related health risks.

New Jersey: Wildfire

In the US, New Jersey’s largest wildfire on record has been challenging firefighting crews. The Jones Road Wildfire, located in Ocean County, has burned 15,300 acres and is only 65% contained as of April 27, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Fire danger remained high due to low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong winds.

Kenya: Floods

Floods in central and western Kenya killed at least eight people and displaced around 900 people.  Nairobi’s informal settlements were particularly hard hit, with over 500 families losing their homes. Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja said that the amount of rain coming down is higher than ever before and that the city infrastructure was designed for a smaller capacity of seasonal rain. Since the beginning of the month, at least 40 people have died in flood-related events across East African capitals, Nairobi, Kinshasa, Kigali, and Kampala.

India & Pakistan: Heatwave

Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions engulfed parts of northwest and central India, including regions like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and East Madhya Pradesh. Maximum temperatures were settling in the range of 44°C-48°C. Jaisalmer city in Rajasthan recorded a day-maximum at 46.2°C on April 28, which was the highest maximum temperature ever recorded in the month of April since 1969. A prolonged heatwave also gripped Pakistan, with temperatures well above the normal across much of the country. Officials have issued warnings about heightened risks of heat-related illnesses.

Somalia: Heavy Rains

Heavy rains in Somalia killed 4 people and affected nearly 30,000. Despite the rainfall, the ongoing drought in central regions is expected to persist due to high temperatures, dry conditions, and heat stress.

South Africa: Wildfire

Firefighters in Cape Town, South Africa, have been in a battle against multiple wildfires that have so far burned at least 3,000 hectares of vegetation overnight in the country’s famous Table Mountain. While it is still being investigated that whether the fires were deliberate but they are aggravated because of the presence of dry leaves litter and strong coastal winds. Table Mountain is susceptible to wildfires in the hot, dry months between November and April.