Asia Heat Wave Update: Extreme Heat Events in South and Southeast Asia in Late March Triggered by Ocean Warming [Study]

Heat waves have been reported in different parts of Asia in recent months. These natural disasters have caused widespread disruptions and life-threatening risks both for humans and animals in some nations. Details of the risks are based on previous reports in the past several weeks, wherein intense heat due to rising temperatures impacted countries like Bangladesh, Thailand, and the Philippines.

In a research paper earlier this year, scientists concluded that the extreme heat wave experienced by the continent, particularly in South and Southeast Asia, would not be possible without climate change. Now, a new study shows that ocean warming triggered the Indo-Pacific heat waves recorded in late March 2024, a period where heat-related deaths and school closures occurred.

Scientific literature has long depicted the relationship between heat waves and anthropogenic climate change in modern times. However, a recent study led by an international team of researchers focuses on the impact of ocean warming not only on heat waves, but also to extreme weather events like cyclones, heavy rainfall events, and environmental disasters like coral bleaching.

Asia Heat Wave

The intense Asia heat wave observed since March 2024 has caused temperatures to spike beyond 50 degrees Celsius in Thailand and the Philippines. Meanwhile, Bangladesh recorded almost a month of heat waves, resulting in heatstroke. Apart from the attribution between climate change and heat waves, rising temperatures in the Indian Ocean is also a contributing factor to the extreme heat.

The climate crisis-driven heat waves in Asia also coincided with previous warnings by meteorologists regarding the continuous rising temperatures in the Indian Ocean. In this matter, scientists in a recent research paper confirmed the regional impact of this ocean warming phenomenon, affecting not only terrestrial environments but also marine animals and their natural marine habitats.

Ocean Warming is to Blame

In a study published in the work titled The Indian Ocean and its Role in the Global Climate System, researchers found that surface or ocean warming in the Indian Ocean is also causing environmental and climatic alterations. Based on climate projections, the authors estimate that marine heat waves have increased from 20 days per year to as high as 250 days per year since the 1970s.

In relation to the Indo-Pacific heat waves seen in 2024, the authors of the paper reported significant ocean warming in the tropical Indian Ocean since the beginning of the 20^th century. During this period, warming at a rate of 0.12 degrees Celsius was recorded between the years 1950 and 2020. In addition, the findings show that warming penetrates even the deep ocean.

The findings mean that the phenomenon of global warming during the 21^st century will affect not only the oceans but it can also cause warming ocean surface temperatures to spread heat into terrestrial or mainland environments. The said study was led by researchers from multiple countries, including India, France, Switzerland, China, and the United States.