Temperatures above 40°C are scorching parts of Central Asia, prompting the World Health Organization to warn that extreme heat is becoming an increasing public health threat across the region.
The warning comes as several parts of Central Asia endure prolonged periods of intense heat, with forecasters expecting temperatures to climb further in the coming days. Health officials say the hottest days of the summer may still lie ahead, raising concerns about the ability of public services to respond to heat-related illness and protect those most at risk.
Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, has urged governments to treat extreme heat not merely as a weather event but as a serious threat to public health and safety. His remarks reflect growing concern that heatwaves are placing increasing pressure on healthcare and social support systems, particularly in regions where preparedness remains uneven.
The WHO European Region, which comprises 53 countries across Europe and Central Asia, has warned that fewer than half of its member states have national heat-health action plans in place. Such plans are designed to help authorities coordinate healthcare and social services, issue timely public warnings and ensure support reaches vulnerable groups before temperatures reach dangerous levels.
Older people, particularly those living alone, people with chronic health conditions, homeless people and residents of long-term care facilities are among those facing the greatest risks during prolonged periods of extreme heat. The WHO also points to wider challenges, including a shortage of air-conditioned public spaces, limited preparedness within healthcare systems to deal with heat-related illness and low public awareness of the dangers associated with prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
The alert coincides with forecasts of even hotter weather across the region. Kazakhstan's national weather service, Kazhydromet, expects temperatures to reach as high as 45°C in parts of the country between 9 and 11 July. Temperatures of up to 42°C are forecast in the Turkestan and Kyzylorda regions, while neighbouring Kyrgyzstan is also experiencing intense heat, with daytime temperatures in the capital, Bishkek, expected to reach 36°C.
Right-wing British politician Ann Widdecombe has died at the age of 78. The death of the former Conservative MP, television personality and Reform UK ...
New strikes were reported by Iranian media overnight, including attacks near Iran's only functioning nuclear power plant around the port city of Bus...
This is the second of four articles in AnewZ's series examining how conservationists are working to protect and repair damage done to the Aral Sea wh...
Kazakhstan has limited vehicle entries from Russia and neighbouring countries to one per day to tackle illegal fuel smuggling. The restrictions come amid a surge in Russians crossing the border to buy gasoline, as prices at home soar due to the Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Kazakhstan's Constitutional Court ruled that President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is eligible to seek a new presidential term under the country's newly adopted constitution. It's after a referendum on the constitution in March reset presidential term limits - a move that could extend his time in power.
China has launched a new direct rail freight route to Turkmenistan, expanding its transport links with Central Asia as trade and investment across the region continue to grow. The service will carry Chinese industrial and consumer goods to the Caspian region.
Kazakhstan will hold a snap parliamentary election on 23 August under a decree signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, paving the way for a new constitutional system in the Central Asian state.
It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
At least 12 people have been killed in forest fires in Almeria in southern Spain, Andalucía’s emergency agency has said, as firefighters continue efforts to put out the blaze.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was "over", adding he did not want to engage with Tehran, calling the Iranian leadership "sick people".
The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has risen to 3,811, according to figures released by National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez on Wednesday.
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
This is the last of four articles in AnewZ's series examining how conservationists are working to protect and repair damage done to the Aral Sea which lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
This is the third of four articles in AnewZ's series examining how conservationists are working to protect and repair damage done to the Aral Sea which lies between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Israel's decision to recognise the so-called Armenian genocide has triggered diplomatic tensions with Azerbaijan, one of its closest strategic partners.
Georgia's imprisoned former president has announced plans to rebuild the opposition party he chairs as honorary president and under whose banner he ruled the country for nearly a decade.
New strikes were reported by Iranian media overnight, including attacks near Iran's only functioning nuclear power plant around the port city of Bushehr. A U.S. official said that Washington was still committed to finding a resolution with Tehran and that technical talks were continuing.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment