Thursday, August 13, 2026, 10:13 IST
Vast regions of Asia are reeling under a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures so extreme that potatoes are literally “boiling” in the soil. Farmers across India, Pakistan, and parts of Southeast Asia describe crops wilting before harvest, as soil temperatures climb well beyond survivable thresholds for staple foods.
Meteorologists attribute the phenomenon to a prolonged high-pressure system trapping hot air, compounded by climate change trends that have made extreme heat more frequent and severe. Rural communities are facing immediate food security risks, with yields collapsing and irrigation systems overwhelmed. Urban centers, meanwhile, are struggling with power shortages as demand for cooling surges.
Health authorities warn of rising cases of heatstroke and dehydration, while economists caution that the agricultural losses could ripple into global food markets. The crisis underscores Asia’s vulnerability to climate extremes, with scientists stressing that adaptation measures—such as heat-resistant crop varieties and improved water management, are urgently needed to avert long-term disaster.
(Sources – The Guardian)
—Agencies
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