Canada and parts of the United States were hit by a violent heat wave. The temperatures rise to dangerous record levels of almost 50 degrees. Hundreds of people die.
Vancouver – In western Canada, the extraordinary heat wave has caused hundreds of deaths, according to authorities. From Friday to Wednesday 486 sudden and unexpected deaths were reported in the province of British Columbia, said the forensic medicine of the West Coast province on Wednesday afternoon (local time). This number is likely to increase. It is 195 percent above the usual average for a comparable period. The authority assumes that the sharp increase is related to the extreme heat.
Heat wave in Canada breaks temperature records
The thermometer showed 49.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday in Lytton (province of British Columbia), as the local weather authority announced on Twitter. That is an “all-time temperature record”. However, so many records have been broken that it is difficult to keep track of them at the moment.
At 4:20pm, Lytton Climate Station reported 49.5°C, once again, breaking the daily and all-time temperature records for the 3rd straight day. Final numbers and all other temperature records will be posted later this afternoon. #BCStorm pic.twitter.com/jYpvxM0iIy
— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) June 29, 2021
Air-conditioned centers have been set up in the affected region where people can find refuge from the heat. Forensic doctor Lisa Lapointe called for precautionary measures to be taken and people at risk to be helped.
Heatwave in Canada and the United States – Affecting more than 14 million people
The heat melts power cables and turns streets into moguls, reports the BBC. Cities in particular are heating up extremely. Vaccination centers have been closed. Schools are tight and local public transport has been partially discontinued.
Climate change cause of extreme heat wave in Canada and the USA
“Words cannot describe this historic event,” tweeted Environment and Climate Change Canada British Columbia. In the region are the Rocky Mountains and the Glacier National Park. There is a risk of high glacier melt, warns the World Meteorological Organization (WMO for short). In addition to humans, animals and plants would also suffer from the extreme heat.
The WMO announced that the extreme heat wave affected more than 14 million Americans. “Heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense as greenhouse gas concentrations cause global temperatures to rise. We are also finding that they start earlier and end later, taking an increasing toll on human health, ”said Omar Baddour, head of the WMO’s Climate Monitoring and Policy Department.
According to WMO, these early summer hot weather conditions take place against the background of man-made climate change. Global temperatures would already be 1.2 degrees above pre-industrial levels. (dpa / ml)
