Extreme and brutal heat scorches South-East Asia, bringing school closures and warnings

The heat index was expected to reach the "danger" level of 42 degrees Celsius or higher in at least 30 cities and municipalities of the Philippines. - AFP

MANILA (AFP): Extreme heat scorched parts of South and Southeast Asia Wednesday, prompting schools across the Philippines to suspend classes, heat warnings in the Thai capital and worshippers in Bangladesh to pray for rain.

The high temperatures were recorded just a day after the United Nations said Asia was the region that suffered the most disasters from climate and weather hazards in 2023, with floods and storms the chief causes of casualties and economic losses.