Kyrgyzstan: It's getting even hotter
When summer came to Kyrgyzstan, it was covered with a wave of abnormal heat – the temperature record was broken. Moreover, the residents should not ease – hot July is coming. According to weather forecasters, temperature of the air in valley and piedmont areas can reach 40-43 degrees next month.
According to Kyrgyzgidromet, the air temperature in Bishkek on June 1-2 and 6-7, 2021, was within 35.5-36.7 Celsius degrees. In southern regions of the country, the values reached as high as 40 degrees. Those days were the hottest in the history of observations with nearly seven degrees variations from the norm.
If the first day of summer hit a record high for the first time in 58 years (the temperature was 34.1°C on June 1, 1967, this year it was 35.5°C), the following days hit record in 6-7 years.
Similar records, unfortunately, become a bad tradition. Let's take maximum temperatures in Bishkek: 9 of them in the last 20 years were top 12 hottest.
If the first day of summer hit a record high for the first time in 58 years (the temperature was 34.1°C on June 1, 1967, this year it was 35.5°C), the following days hit record in 6-7 years.
Similar records, unfortunately, become a bad tradition. Let's take maximum temperatures in Bishkek: 9 of them in the last 20 years were top 12 hottest.
Climatologist, expert of the BIOM ecological movement, Zoya Kretova, said that July 2019 was the hottest in Kyrgyzstan in the history of observations. Back then, the average monthly temperature was almost 4 degrees above the norm. According to forecasts, such enduring abnormal heat can become normal in the nearest time. The temperature range in the next 30 years in Bishkek will be similar to the one of the southern cities of the country – Dzhalal-Abad. This process is undoubtedly related to global warming, she said.
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"Since the middle of the 70s, when global warming started, the average annual temperature in Bishkek has increased by 1.8 degrees. The quickest pace of rising temperature was 2.6 degrees in spring season. In other seasons, the temperature has increased by 1.3 degrees in the last 44 years," Zoya Kretova said.
In summer season, heat stress is caused by more hot days with air temperature exceeding 30 degrees, more tropic nights with temperature exceeding 20 degrees, as well as by more cases and duration of heat-wave.
Thus, summer season has become longer and heat stresses have become more intense in the last four decades. This has a negative impact on the health of population. The groups of highest risk are children, pensioners, pregnant, people with chronic diseases, mainly, cardiovascular system.
Currently, Kyrgyzstan does not record drastic consequences of abnormal heat for health separately (lethal cases, admission rate). Such studies are difficult and expensive, medical workers say.
According to Yegor Borisov, chief of the resuscitation service of the emergency medicine centre of Bishkek, people should observe preventive measures during abnormal heat. The measures are standard: avoid being in closed premises and spaces, use air conditioners. Drink more water to avoid dehydration. Children must wear lightweight headgear.
Currently, Kyrgyzstan does not record drastic consequences of abnormal heat for health separately (lethal cases, admission rate). Such studies are difficult and expensive, medical workers say.
According to Yegor Borisov, chief of the resuscitation service of the emergency medicine centre of Bishkek, people should observe preventive measures during abnormal heat. The measures are standard: avoid being in closed premises and spaces, use air conditioners. Drink more water to avoid dehydration. Children must wear lightweight headgear.
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"People with chronic diseases must take all prescribed medicines according to their treatment schedules. They should avoid high temperatures, staying outdoors and physical exercises. This is very important for them, so they need a relaxed timeline during the day," Borisov said.
Nevertheless, not everyone can observe these measures – no one cancels work during the heat. According to the instruction of Kyrgyzgidromet, the weather can be deemed abnormal if the temperature keeps 40 degrees within 5 days.
Although the Labour Code of Kyrgyzstan does not provide for the reduction of working hours or other measures due to abnormal weather, the government can consider reducing working hours. The reason can be the forecasts of abnormal heat-wave from the emergency ministry for five days, as well as the statement of the health ministry on negative impact of high temperature on people's health.
Although the Labour Code of Kyrgyzstan does not provide for the reduction of working hours or other measures due to abnormal weather, the government can consider reducing working hours. The reason can be the forecasts of abnormal heat-wave from the emergency ministry for five days, as well as the statement of the health ministry on negative impact of high temperature on people's health.
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"In general, the maximum temperature in the republic has not exceeded 40 degrees within 5 days. According to article 20 of the Labour Code of Kyrgyzstan, the employer must ensure labour safety. Air conditioners must be used to maintain comfortable temperature in the premises. Workers must have work breaks and recreation rooms. The employer must provide the staff with clean potable water, the organisation must have a first-aid kit at hand," said Zhakshylyk Zhaparova, main specialist of the Labour Agency.
The Paris Climate Agreement, ratified by Kyrgyzstan two years ago, is meant to keep the global temperature rise in this century within 1.5°C. However, there is a strong possibility that we'll feel the rise in the average world temperature in the next five years, according to the new bulletin of the World Meteorological Organisation.
Photo: Bishkek City Hall
Photo: 24.kg / Bishkek
Photo: Bishkek City Hall
According to experts, the authorities of Kyrgyzstan must take all possible measures today to reduce the impact of abnormal heat to the maximum extent. It is suggested to take a package of measures during and before summer to get prepared to possible abnormal heat-wave and during it. However, they will be more effective only if long-term measures are implemented in such areas as urban planning and residential development.
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"Bishkek pays little attention to the measures of adaptation of the social sector to heat stresses. Parks, fountains, green areas can make the microclimate of the city mild and reduce the heat stress on the health of people. Also, high temperatures increase rates of evaporation, which causes higher demand for irritation water. High temperatures increase power consumption via excessive use of cooling appliances – air conditioners, blower fans," climatologist Zoya Kretova said.
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CABAR.asia
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Natalia Lee
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Tolgonai Akimova
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Sputnik.kg
