Heatwave Death Toll Climbs To 34 In Under 2 Months

[Flashermac]

THE Public Health Ministry in Thailand said 34 people have died from heat-related illnesses in under two months amid the El-Nino heatwave that has struck the country.

 

The official figures were released by the ministry on Saturday revealed the number of deaths from the beginning of March until April 22.

 

The sweltering heat, according to a report in Coconuts Bangkok, is expected to continue for the remainder of the week as the the Meteorological Department has predicted that the rainy season could begin on May 15.

 

Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Sophon Mekthon reminded the public to remain indoors and to avoid outdoor activities to prevent heat exhaustion.

 

He added that everyone should drink at least one litre of water hourly, even if they were not thirsty.

 

Earlier this month, the AFP reported that the El-Nino cycle, which began last year, is expected to dissipate in the middle of this year and would be replaced by the La Nina phenomenon, which brings with it a high potential for flooding in the region.

 

Last year, 56 people had succumbed to the heatwave, the bulk of which were laborers and those involved in outdoor activities.

 

The average peak temperature each day in April was above 40 degrees Celsius, with the mercury spiking one day to 44.3 degrees Celsius – just short of the all-time record.

 

Additional reporting by Associated Press

 

 

https://asiancorresp...iland-heatwave/

[Dexi]

Drinking large amounts of water without taking salt as well can be dangerous

[waerth]

your kidneys can only handle about 4.5 - 5 litres of "water" a day. after that they drown. So let me see ..... one liter of water an hour, lets say you sweat out half. so after about 12 hours you have drowned yourself by water overdose.

[Flashermac]

Hot as it is, I go through maybe 3 liters a day at most. I couldn't believe they said a litre per hour.

[cavanami]

I go thru one liter an hour...but 90% of it is sweated out!

[YimSiam]

That 56 deaths from laborers and outdoor activities must be just the tip of the iceberg... if healthy working laborers are dropping dead on the job, that's fucked up... Normally the deaths in heat are elderly being nudged a bit more quickly than expected towards the final exit, not workers on the job! So, if there's a bad smell coming out of the neighbor's apartment where the old lady lives, someone should take a look...