Hot weather is increasing deaths in Central Asian cities
A recent analytical report published by the World Bank noted that anomalous hot weather conditions pose a serious threat to human life in major cities of Central Asia and Europe. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
In particular, the unusual rise in temperatures in the cities of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan is causing irreversible damage to human health, the labor market, and infrastructure. According to research findings, in the city of Ashgabat, 25-28 people die each year per 100,000 population due to hot weather.
In Tashkent, Astana, and Bishkek, the number of deaths is also 19-21 per 100,000 people. These figures are warned to potentially increase in the future.
For example, by 2090, it is likely that between 10,000 and 23,000 people may die annually in major cities like Tashkent and Astana due to hot weather. In 2023, more than 87,000 permanent jobs were lost in the Europe and Central Asia region due to rising temperatures.
Of these losses, nearly 22,000 occurred in Uzbekistan, and about 18,000 in Azerbaijan. This situation shows that heat is causing serious harm not only to health but also to the economy.
The report predicts that the number of hot days in major cities will increase at least threefold by 2050. In some places, the number of hot days could reach 70 per year.
Therefore, experts are already recommending the following measures: increasing trees and green spaces in cities, adapting buildings to allow for natural cooling methods, creating a warning system for the population about temperature risks, improving the healthcare system, establishing special cooling centers, using heat-resistant materials in construction, and considering climate change in infrastructure renewal. In Kyrgyzstan, approximately 200 kilometers of roads are reported to be damaged each year due to temperature extremes.
This negatively affects not only infrastructure but also economic activity, as road repairs require significant costs and lead to disruptions in the transport sector. By 2050, economic losses due to hot weather in Ashgabat and eight other cities in Europe and Central Asia could exceed 2 percent of gross domestic product.
This will negatively impact the state budget, investment policy, and social stability. Therefore, if necessary measures are not taken now, hot weather will become not only a global problem but also a personal threat to every individual.
It is important to act effectively, understanding responsibility, and not wasting time to protect the future.
