Number of days over 35 deg C surges in world's scorching capitals

LONDON — The number of days reaching a sizzling 35 deg C in 20 of the world's largest capitals — from Delhi to Jakarta to Buenos Aires — has risen 52 per cent over the past three decades, a think-tank analysis found on June 28. 

More than 300 million people live in the world's 20 most populous capital cities, where they are uniquely vulnerable to rising temperatures fuelled by climate change, as asphalt and buildings absorb and retain heat. 

Capital cities including Delhi, Dhaka and Manila have already been plagued by dangerous heatwaves in 2024 — leading to a spate of heat-related deaths and school closures. 

Delhi alone documented its longest and most severe heatwave in 74 years, registering 39 consecutive days with maximum temperatures at or above 40 deg C from May 14 to June 21, according to weather station data. 

Now, an analysis by the London-based International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), quantifies the growing threat of extreme heat in some of the world's largest urban centres. 

Using surface temperature data from airport weather stations, the researchers found that from 2014 to 2023, there were nearly 6,500 cumulative days, or instances, when one of the 20 cities reached temperatures of 35 deg C or higher. In the decade from 1994 to 2003, there were just 4,755. 

"We know that hot weather is not felt evenly across cities," said IIED researcher Tucker Landesman. "Pockets of extreme heat are more likely in certain types of neighbourhoods and commercial districts. This is tied to inequality and how we design buildings and public infrastructure." 

Indonesia's Jakarta experienced the greatest absolute rise in the number of days over 35 deg C, from 28 days between 1994 and 2003 to 167 in the most recent decade.

Seoul went from nine days to 58, while Buenos Aires went from seven days to 35.

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