Brutal heat a global warning

A farmer walks along a dried-up rice field in Naic in the Philippine Province of Cavite on May 3, 2023. - The United Nations warned on May 3 of a growing likelihood the weather phenomenon El Nino will develop in coming months, fuelling higher global temperatures and possibly new heat records. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP)

ASIA remains in the grip of a blistering heat wave, chiming with predictions from climate scientists that 2023 could be the world’s hottest year.

In an ominous sign ahead of the northern hemisphere summer, an emerging El Nino weather pattern is pushing temperatures to unprecedented levels in southern parts of the continent.