A new study published Friday showed a surprise heat wave hit Central Asia in March, which has already greatly affected rural areas where dangerous crops and water supply have been largely affected by climate change.
According to world weather attribution, the impact of climate change on extreme weather events is studied, and the temperatures throughout the region are as high as 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in the region.
The group said climate change increased heat waves by about 4 degrees Celsius.
“It’s a heat wave that didn’t make headlines – it happens in the spring, in an area known for its heat wave,” said Maja Vahlberg, a technical consultant at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center.
The study was conducted in five Central Asian states in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
“Our heat wave studies often detect changes between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius (35-39 degrees Fahrenheit), so frankly, 10 degrees Celsius is frank,” said Ben Clarke of Imperial College London.
“The warmer temperatures in March are affecting healthy agricultural harvests and water supply for people in Central Asia and people,” said Friederike Otto, co-head of World Weather Attribution.
Thousands of melting glaciers pose a major threat to people in the inland areas, which has been affected by water shortage.
According to a report by the Eurasian Development Bank, 14% to 30% of glaciers in the Tianshan Mountains and Pamir have melted over the past 60 years.
The heat wave coincides with the critical agricultural season when almonds, apricots and cherries and wheat are sown.
About half of all workers in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are employed in agriculture, accounting for one-fifth of the region’s economy.
In special hot spots, the temperature reaches 30 degrees Celsius – March is very unusual.
Central Asia is usually characterized by unusually hot summers and harsh cold winters.
Early heat waves in the region may continue, viewing them as a trend rather than a one-time event, climate scientists say.
“We should expect such events often,” Clark told AFP in an online briefing.
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