Cities with the Highest Temperatures in Asia Due to the Heatwave: Are Any from Indonesia?

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that almost all countries in South Asia have been affected by a heatwave since last week until now.

A heatwave is an unusually hot weather or temperature period that typically lasts for five consecutive days or more, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) definition, accompanied by high humidity. According to BMKG, a location must record a daily maximum temperature exceeding the statistical threshold to be considered a heatwave.

Climatologically, the hot temperatures in April in the Asian region occur due to the apparent movement of the sun. However, according to BMKG, the heat surge in the South Asian subcontinent, Indochina, and East Asia in 2023 is among the most significant due to several conditions.

“The development of a high-pressure (air) center around the Bay of Bengal and the South Asian mainland is the trigger (for the hot temperatures),” as quoted from the @infobmkg Instagram page on Tuesday (25/4/2023).

BMKG stated that climate experts conclude that the ongoing trend of global warming and climate change contributes to the increasing likelihood of more frequent heatwaves.

Based on data collected by BMKG from the Ogimet weather information service, the hottest temperature in Asia was recorded in Kumarkhali during the period of April 11-20, 2023. The temperature in the Bangladeshi city reached 51.2 degrees Celsius on April 17, 2023.

This was followed by Chauk (Myanmar) with a temperature of 45.5 degrees Celsius on April 20, 2023. Here is a list of cities in Asia with the hottest temperatures during the period of April 11-20, 2023:

1. Kumarkhali (Bangladesh, April 17, 2023): 51.2 degrees Celsius
2. Chauk (Myanmar, April 20, 2023): 45.5 degrees Celsius
3. Chauk (Myanmar, April 18, 2023): 45.3 degrees Celsius
4. Bundi (India, April 18, 2023): 45.2 degrees Celsius
5. Chauk (Myanmar, April 19, 2023): 45 degrees Celsius
6. Nyaung-U (Myanmar, April 19, 2023): 45 degrees Celsius
7. Chauk (Myanmar, April 14, 2023): 44.8 degrees Celsius
8. Prayagraj/Ghoopur (India, April 18, 2023): 44.6 degrees Celsius
9. Prayagraj/Ghoopur (India, April 17, 2023): 44.6 degrees Celsius
10. Tak (Thailand, April 15, 2023): 44.6 degrees Celsius

Meanwhile, the city in Indonesia with the hottest temperature during that period was Ciputat, South Tangerang, with a recorded temperature of 37.2 degrees Celsius on April 17, 2023.

However, according to BMKG, Indonesia is not included in the areas affected by the 2023 Asian heatwave. The reason is that the hot temperatures in Indonesia do not meet the WMO's definition of a heatwave.

The hot temperatures in Indonesia, according to BMKG, are not due to a heatwave, but rather the apparent movement of the sun. "This is a usual cycle and occurs every year," said BMKG.

Furthermore, BMKG stated that the peak temperature of 37.2 degrees Celsius only occurred for one day in that location. Meanwhile, the highest daily maximum temperature in Indonesia is generally in the range of 34 to 36 degrees Celsius.

According to BMKG, this temperature variation is still within the normal range compared to previous years.

“Indonesia is currently entering the dry season; the dominance of the Australian monsoon wind is generally dry with low humidity, the weather tends to be sunny with less cloud cover, causing optimal solar radiation intensity to be received by the surface,” said BMKG.