A heat wave of unprecedented magnitude has struck Southeast Asia, catching the region off guard. The scorching temperatures have taken a toll on outdoor workers who form the backbone of many societies in countries like Vietnam and Thailand. Phong, a motorbike taxi driver in Hanoi, has had to endure grueling conditions, working over 12 hours a day in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Despite taking precautions like wearing a hat and carrying water, the heat has made his job even more challenging.
Similarly, Dinh, a sanitation worker, faces extreme difficulties as he cleans garbage from the streets of Hanoi. The intense heat exacerbates the unpleasant smell of the waste, making his physically demanding work even harder. To cope, he adjusts his working hours, starting and finishing early to avoid the peak heat. During lunch breaks, Dinh seeks shelter in shaded areas to rest and protect himself from the scorching sun.
Phong and Dinh represent millions of workers across Southeast Asia, including drivers, street vendors, cleaners, builders, and farmers, who are disproportionately affected by extreme weather events. The region recently experienced its harshest heat wave on record, surpassing previous temperature records in countries like Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Thailand reached its highest recorded temperature of 45.4 degrees Celsius (114 degrees Fahrenheit), while Laos endured consecutive days of 43.5 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit), and Vietnam broke its all-time temperature record with 44.2 degrees Celsius (112 degrees Fahrenheit).
This year's heat wave has been described as the most severe and long-lasting, extending into June. On June 1, Vietnam recorded its hottest June day ever at 43.8 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit), with the month still ongoing. The World Weather Attribution (WWA), an international coalition of scientists, declared the April heat wave in Southeast Asia a once-in-200-years event, attributing it to human-caused climate change. The high humidity levels accompanying the extreme temperatures have made the situation even more dangerous.
The impact of the heat wave on outdoor workers highlights the vulnerability of those in the informal economy to extreme weather events. Their health is at risk, and their already precarious livelihoods are further jeopardized. Urgent action is needed to address climate change and its consequences to protect the most vulnerable populations. The WWA report serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching effects of global warming and the urgent need to mitigate its impact.
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