Correspondents around the world
Portugal, Iraq, Russia, Pakistan: in the hellish heat and dust of the Sahara
Audio 03:49
Heat and dust...In this file photo taken on June 27, 2019, a thermometer reads nearly 40°C in Rennes, western France, during a heatwave.
(Illustrative image) Damien MEYER / AFP
By: Lucile Wassermann Follow |
Sonia Ghezali Follow |
Marie-Line Darcy |
Anissa El Jabri Follow
3 mins
Alarming climatic situation in Portugal, Iraq, Russia and Pakistan.
The heat, coupled with a passage of dust from the Sahara which is currently raging in these countries, is putting the populations to the test.
Thermometers show 30 to 35 degrees or more, abnormal temperatures for this season of the year.
One of the consequences of this situation is the reduction in the reserves of dam lakes.
Overview of this temperature surge signed by our correspondents around the world: Sonia Ghezali, Marie-Line Darcy, Lucile Wassermann and Anissa El Jabri.
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In Portugal 10 of the 18 discrete administrative divisions of the country are placed on fire alert.
The country has been thirsty for months and the measure is justified.
The territory is 85% in a situation of drought, after a particularly deficient winter, February was one of the 3 driest months since 1931. One of the consequences of the situation is the reduction in the reserves of the lakes of dams.
They are used, among other things, to supply the canadairs in the event of major fires in the interior of the country.
Five years after the great fires of 2017 and their 140 victims, we fear an incendiary summer.
Reconstituted vegetation, lack of water and heat, the ingredients for a perfect storm have come together.
In Baghdad in Iraq, impressive dust storms have occurred every week for more than two months, enveloping the cities of the center and the south of the country in a thick orange cloud.
It is impossible to see more than a few meters... and the repercussions are numerous.
This obviously impacts the country's economy.
Thousands of people in respiratory distress must go to the hospital and these storms could even have repercussions on security in Iraq, since it is easier for the jihadists to move and conduct operations, without be spotted.
Many problems therefore, due to these meteorological phenomena, which could occur more than 270 days a year over the next two decades, according to an official of the Minister of the Environment,
In Russia, numerous fires aggravated by strong winds started ten days ago in eastern Siberia.
These winds reached in some areas 40 meters per second against 25 meters per second expected.
Consequences, particularly in the Krasnoyarsk region: falling trees, overlapping and falling power lines.
Result: simultaneous fires, difficult to extinguish with gusts of wind.
Impossible to use aviation.
Fighting the flames can only be done on land.
A state of emergency has been declared in this region.
In Pakistan, hellish temperatures have been going on for two months and it could still continue.
The thermometer showed up to 51°C in the shade, in Jacobabad in the province of Sindh in recent weeks.
This is the new record for the highest temperature in the world in 2022. The furnace could still continue.
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Climate
Environment
Portugal
Iraq
Pakistan
Russia