FIVE cities in Myanmar were listed among the 15 hottest cities in the world on 31 March, and residents of the cities need to be aware of heat-related health issues, including heat stroke, said meteorologist U Win Naing.
Minbu, Magway and Chauk in Magway Region and Bago and Toungoo in Bago Region were included in the 15 hottest cities in the world on 31 March. According to the temperature ranking, Minbu has been ranked second with 42.2 degrees Celsius, while Magway has been ranked eighth with 41.3 degrees Celsius; Toungoo has been ranked tenth with 41.3 degrees Celsius; Chauk has been ranked twelfth with 41 degrees Celsius, and Bago has been ranked fourteenth with 40.9 degrees Celsius.
Due to elevated temperatures, people need to be aware of heat-related health issues such as dehydration, heat exhaustion/ heat stroke, respiratory issues, UV radiation index and eye and skin problems, said U Win Naing.
Similarly, stakeholders in the agriculture sector will need to seek technical advice to prevent losses due to soil moisture loss and evapotranspiration, heat stress and pest outbreaks, he added.
Day temperatures will rise from 30 March to 5 April, and maximum temperatures for townships in southern Yangon- Kyauktan, Kungyangon, Kayan and Thongwa will be 37-39 degrees Celsius with a minimum temperature of 23 degrees Celsius, while it will be 39 degrees Celsius in Botahtaung, Kyauktada, Kamayut, Thingangyun, Hline, Tamway, North Okkalapa, Mayangon and Dagon Myothit townships, and the minimum temperature will be 23 degrees Celsius. In northern, eastern and western Yangon, the maximum temperature will be 40 degrees Celsius with a minimum temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. — MT/ZS
