The2007 Asianheat wave affected the South Asian countries ofIndia, Pakistan,Bangladesh, andNepal, as well as Russia, Japan and the People's Republic of China. The heat wave ran during the months of May and June, which continued to September in Japan.[citation needed]
Heat-related deaths were reported from the capital New Delhi, northernHaryana, Uttar Pradesh,Rajasthan andMadhya Pradesh. After three days of intense heat with temperatures hovering about 40 °C (104 °F), New Delhi was relieved as the temperature slid down to 37.2 °C (99.0 °F).[1] Meanwhile, the temperature soared to more than 46 °C (115 °F) at several places in northern Madhya Pradesh, withDatia turning out to be the hottest at 48 °C (118 °F).[2]
More than 120peacocks died inTughlaqabad Fort andSurajkund due to the heat; additionally, reports of severe water shortages were common.[3] A total of 400 peacocks died in Madhya Pradesh, about 200 of those inHaryana andPunjab alone.[3]
The cotton crop in Punjab was severely affected by the heat wave.[4] Meanwhile, the persisting heat wave in various parts ofChandigarh renderedmilk cattle dry. When the day temperature hovered around +48 °C (118 °F), milk supply to various milk plants of cooperative unions went down by 40,000 litres (11,000 US gallons) per day.[5] In addition, milk collection by private-sector plants was reduced by 160,000 litres (42,000 US gallons) during the same period.[5]
Coming at the end of May, a heat wave left at least 25 people dead.[6] According to hospital sources most victims of the heat were rice farmers working in terraces exposed to the blazing sun for long periods. Nearly 200 people, including several children, were admitted to hospitals with symptoms ofheat stroke.[6] According to the meteorological office inDhaka many northern towns showed day temperatures reaching over +40 °C (104 °F), which is not normal in the Bangladeshi summer. Additionally, there was a high level ofhumidity.[6]
A heat wave affected the livelihood of a large number of poverty-stricken families who depend on day outdoor labour done outdoors, such as constructing roads, driving rickshaws, selling vegetables, making quilts and farming. According to the government's Department of Meteorology the temperature inNepalganj got up as high as +44 °C (111 °F). It is estimated that at least 11 people died.[7]
The heat wave over Pakistan was claimed to have brought the death toll there up to 192.[8] The meteorological department registered a record maximum temperature of +52 °C (126 °F) inSibi.[8] Four people died as the temperature inLahore touched +48 °C (118 °F) on 9 June, which was a record for the previous 78 years.[9]
The heat waves hit Russia at the end of May. The temperature in Moscow reached +32.9 °C (91.2 °F) on 27 May. The Russian capital had not seen such a sustained heat wave for 128 years.[10] On 28 May an absolute temperature record for May was set, breaking the record of +31.8 °C (89.2 °F) that had been registered back in 1891.[10] The heat also affected agriculture, wiping out about 5,000 km2 of spring sown fields.[11]
Animals atMoscow Zoo found it hard to keep cool. Staff had to prevent walruses from bathing in their pool because the water was too warm for them.[12]
Beijing opened up its warren of oldair raid shelters to help people escape from the heat.[13] The heat also set off explosives at a chemical plant inShanxi. The explosions injured hundreds of people nearby.[7]
Most of Japanese cities are highest level of an average temperature, since May to September. According to Meteorological Agency of Japan confirm report, the highest temperature recorded on Celsius 40.9 degrees hitting inKumagaya, Saitama andTajimi, Gifu, Celsius 40.3 degrees hitting inKoshigaya, Saitama, on 16 August. And above Celsius 29 degrees of average temperature points are Tokyo,Nagoya,Osaka,Takamatsu, Shikoku. In September, major Japanese cities are recorded to high temperature of Celsius 32 to 37 degrees levels, with highest level of an average temperature in September, since 1868. According toMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan confirm report, 923 people died as the result of the heat wave in around Japan, and is considered worst heat stroke disaster of Japanese and North Esat Asia's history.[citation needed]