World faces scorching heat in early summer 2024

This situation raises concerns that this summer will set new temperature records, "overthrowing" the summer temperature of 2023.

Mediterranean countries have endured another week of extreme heat, sparking wildfires from Portugal to Greece and along the Algerian coast in northern Africa, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In Serbia, weather experts predict that the southeastern European country will record temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius this week. Serbian health officials have issued a red alert for such hot weather conditions and advised people not to go out unless necessary.

In neighboring Montenegro, health officials warned that hot weather could affect people's health and advised against going outside before late afternoon.

Even before the official start of summer, Europe has recorded a number of deaths due to heat. The unusual heat wave that has lasted for about a week has caused the deaths of 3 foreign tourists in Greece.

According to the US National Weather Service, areas in the Midwest and Northeast of the US are also experiencing severe heat, forcing authorities to issue heat warnings that could pose a danger to people's health.

New York City has announced it will open cooling facilities for residents to escape the heat. The National Weather Service has also issued a heat warning for parts of Arizona on June 20, with temperatures forecast to reach 45.5 degrees Celsius.

Nearly 2 million Muslims from around the world are participating in this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, amid scorching heat.

The Hajj pilgrimage lasts for several days, with activities mainly held outdoors, while many pilgrims are elderly and infirm. Figures from the countries where the pilgrimage takes place show that more than a thousand people have died in hot weather conditions of around 50 degrees Celsius.

In South Asia, severe heat has gripped parts of India in recent weeks. Health officials said on June 19 that at least 110 people had died from the heat between March 1 and June 18.

Scientists warn that climate change, manifested as global warming, is increasing extreme weather events, including more frequent and severe heat waves, droughts, floods, rising sea levels and glaciers melting faster.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that 2024 is likely to be another record-breaking hot year, "breaking" the heat record set in 2023. However, the organization believes that the return of the La Nina weather phenomenon this year could bring cooler weather to some areas of the Earth.