Too hot to handle
Extreme heat waves underscore climate urgency, demand action
In Italy, where cities such as Naples and Palermo are bracing for 39 C, the regions of Sicily and Liguria have introduced bans on outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, Asia is warming at nearly twice the global average. This rapid warming has fueled a series of record-breaking and unusually early heat waves in 2025.
Earlier this month, India's capital, New Delhi, home to over 30 million people, faced a historic heat wave, prompting the India Meteorological Department to issue a red alert. Temperatures in several areas are hitting 45 C, surpassing long-term averages by 3 to 4 degrees.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan's Punjab region, temperatures have reached 50 C, a level considered "close to the survival threshold".
