Enormous thanks to my anonymous donor for the remainder of April and May, who wishes to call attention to Rob Mielcarski’s thought-provoking un-denial site, also featured in my blogroll, which looks at overshoot and related issues.
“This is not Yemen, it’s KAZAKHSTAN. Yes, the steppe, the highlands, where it should still be near freezing at night – but there are tropical nights and maxes up to 39C [102.2F]!
“Air-con at 1500m asl. Out of any logic. 90%+ of the country pulverized all records and it ‘ll get worse.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1916894371771023554
“IS THIS FOR REAL? APRIL in the ex USSR:
“43.3 [109.9F] TURKMENISTAN; 40.0 UZBEKISTAN; 39.0 KAZAKHSTAN; 37.0 TAJIKISTAN (37.0 Kurgan Tyube, 34.4 Pendzikent 1015m!).”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1916893576224796802
“The Emergencies Committee warns of an approaching dust storm in Tajikistan.
“…the Emergencies Committee urges the public to pay special attention to those suffering from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, bronchial asthma, and hypertension.”
https://asiaplustj.info/en/node/348378
“UNBELIEVABLE 46 DEGREES [114.8F] IN AFGHANISTAN – The most extreme event the world has ever seen [except perhaps East Antarctica in March 2022, I’m assuming].
“45.9C at Zabol, IRAN… No people in this planet would have though physically possible anything like this. What we had seen until now (50C Canada, 40C UK) is nothing.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1916879049340993864
“Climate change has inflicted a devastating impact on central Daikundi, a mountainous province in central Afghanistan.
“Once fertile and productive, its lands are now dry and cracked, and its farmers—who once relied on predictable weather and steady rainfall—look to the sky in vain.”
https://pajhwok.com/2025/04/28/climate-change-threatens-l1ivelihoods-in-daikundi/
“Karachi faces extended hours of power outage amid hot weather.
“In various neighborhoods, the duration of these outages has reached alarming levels of 12 to 16 hours, significantly disrupting daily life and livelihoods. Residents reported a lack of relief both day and night…”
https://english.aaj.tv/news/330414249/karachi-faces-extended-hours-of-power-outage-amid-hot-weather
“EXTREME HEAT IN INDIA AND PAKISTAN – record after record every single day of the month.
“Today (Pakistan): 47.5 [117.5F] Khairpur, 46.4 Turbat, 44.4 Dera Ismail Khan, 44.0 Nokkundi; (India): 46.2 Jaisalmer, 46.2 Rajkot, etc all heat records for April. Next days Pakistan will approach 50C and May will be worse.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1916845204985835769
“Snowfall drops in Hindu Kush-Himalayas, water crisis may follow…
“The Hindu Kush-Himalayan range stretches across eight countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. These mountains hold the largest reserves of ice and snow outside the polar regions.”
https://www.earth.com/news/snowfall-drops-in-hindu-kush-himalayas-water-crisis-may-follow/
“Panic in Pakistan as India vows to cut off water supply over Kashmir…
“”We will ensure no drop of the Indus River’s water reaches Pakistan,” India’s water resources minister, Chandrakant Raghunath Paatil, said on X. He did not respond to questions about the fears in Pakistan.”
“China records second-highest April temperature since 1961: weather authority…
“A total of 93 national meteorological stations across China reported daily maximum temperatures that either reached or surpassed historical records. Linshui county in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province recorded a maximum temperature of 36.8 C, setting a new record for the entire spring season…”
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1333059.shtml
“Cambodia witnessed a rare and surprising weather phenomenon over the weekend, as hailstones hit several parts of the Kingdom during heavy storms.
“Social media platforms lit up on April 26, with posts from amazed Khmer sharing images and videos of the small ice pellets that blanketed their rooftops and fell into their hands.”
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/rare-hailstorm-surprises-people-across-cambodia
“April 27, 2025: Mae Hong Son hits 42°C [107.6F], Highest temp [Thailand].
“The Meteorological Department reports the top 10 provinces with the highest temperatures on April 27, 2025. Mae Hong Son breaks records, hitting 42°C, as a heatwave affects the entire country.”
https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/general/40049329
“Another record warm spell in AUSTRALIA…
“Another crazy warm spell will sweep most of Australia with >30C [86F] even in the South and days of pure summer.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1916381841315008955
“Microburst in Colombia: What Is it and why is it so dangerous?
“On Saturday, April 26, a powerful rain microburst hit the Aburrá Valley in Colombia, causing severe damage in San Antonio de Prado, a southern area of Medellín. The heavy rainfall triggered mudflows and landslides, forcing local authorities to declare an emergency.”
https://groundreport.in/latest/microburst-in-colombia-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-so-dangerous-9009372
“Heavy rains: roads, cars, and homes are flooded in San Juan and Caguas [Puerto Rico]…
“A section of PR-1 in Caguas was flooded this Monday, bringing traffic to a standstill due to heavy rains caused by the presence of several low-pressure systems and abundant humidity in the region.”
“The US Water War With Mexico Is Just Starting…
“…since the early 1990s, Mexico has been struggling to fulfill its obligations, angering US farmers and other businesses in Texas that depend on the Rio Grande for irrigation. As droughts and water shortages have worsened, so have Mexico’s breaches of the pact and the tensions at the border.”
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-04-28/trump-s-water-war-with-mexico-is-just-starting
“Third consecutive 108F+ [42.2C] in TEXAS. The exceptional heat continues…
“Record hot nights again in Southern USA; Several stations in different States had their April highest minimum in history. Between Texas (Presidio, Lubbock), Kansas (71 Medicine Lodge), OKlahoma etc.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1917032705486884945
“Even more flooding is expected to hit some areas of the central U.S. that were already pounded by a deadly rain event earlier this month.
“Forecasters warned that a new round of heavy rain this week will bring a new flash flood threat and a flood advisory was issued along the Mississippi River in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/flooding-map-forecast-rain-b2740843.html
“US algal bloom death toll raises “serious concern for ocean health”.
“Experts at the Pacific Marine Mammal Centre suggest that domoic acid outbreaks linked to harmful algal blooms off Southern California have been occurring earlier each year and lasting with a longer severity that ever before, with close ties made to warming oceans.”
“Ice all but disappeared from this Alaskan island. It changed everything…
“This tiny island in the middle of the Bering Sea had recently completed its longest winter stretch in recorded history with above-freezing temperatures — 343 consecutive hours, or 14 days — when Aaron Lestenkof drove out to look at Sea Lion Neck.”
“Last summer in Lapland likely warmest in 2,000 years…
“In the northernmost region of Finland, a record-high number of 25 hot days with maximum temperatures exceeding 25C were observed in Utsjoki during the summer season, with persistent hot weather contributing to the ignition of numerous forest fires in Lapland.”
“Much of Scotland is at an “extreme” risk of wildfire in the coming days, including large parts of Aberdeenshire, fire chiefs have warned.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said there is a “very high” wildfire risk on Monday and Tuesday in north-east, central and southern Scotland.”
https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aberdeen-news/extreme-wildfire-warning-issued-parts-10139620
“Near record, early season heat signals climate change’s impact on U.K. spring…
“Forecasts show that upcoming temperatures through April 30 could be as much as 8.1°C above normal, potentially breaking national and local records. Climate Central analysis shows that human-caused climate change has made these high temperatures five times more likely.”
https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/uk-april-2025
“UK’s first outdoor citrus grove planted as climate change bears fruit.
“Around 30 new trees featuring four varieties of citrus – lemon, orange, grapefruit and Buddha’s hand – are being grown at the Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of Wight.”
“A massive wildfire erupted late Monday night in Dipseliza, between Keratea and Lavrio, spreading rapidly toward Lavrio due to strong winds [Greece].
“The blaze, which broke out shortly before 23:20 on April 28, triggered an urgent response from the Greek Fire Service and prompted an emergency evacuation alert for nearby residents.”
https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/04/29/major-wildfire-in-dipseliza-prompts-evacuation-near-lavrio/
“Torrential Rains Lead to Widespread Destruction in Bulgaria’s Montana and Vratsa Regions [Bulgaria]…
“The local infrastructure sustained significant damage, with sections of the asphalt road completely washed away. In addition to the damage to homes, over 10 cars were trapped in the floodwaters, prompting the fire brigade to rescue stranded residents.”
“Endless summer in SOUTH AFRICA:
“Incredible what we are seeing, temperatures continuously 35/40C along the coast, inland and highlands. It’s late autumn and it’s locally 10C above mid summer averages: 38.5 Lamberts Bay, 37.7 Riversdale, 37.4 Clanwilliam, 36.9 Malmesbury, 36.4 Worcester.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1916859952783654949
“Firefighting efforts intensify as wildfire rages in Table Mountain National Park [Cape Town]…
“All available firefighting resources were mobilised after three separate fires started on Friday afternoon and early evening in the Lower and Upper Tokai areas of TMNP.”
“RECORD HEAT IN MIDDLE EAST…
“Total madness in the EMIRATES – 44.6 Dubai etc (31.4 Dubai hottest April night in Emirates history) … More records have fallen today than the whole of April 2024, which was the most record breaking April in history… UNBELIEVABLE 47.6 IN SAUDI ARABIA, right on the coast at Dammam.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1916563442154246177
“‘Dust Storm Has Damaged Everything—Grapes and Bees Hit Hard,’ Kurdistan Farmers, Beekeepers Warn.
“A grape farmer said the dust storms had “damaged everything, especially grapes,” halting their growth, while a beekeeper warned the dust “covered the flowers,” preventing bees from extracting the nectar they rely on for food.”
https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/837497
“Crazy 46.1C [115F] yesterday at Basra, it destroys again the IRAQ HOTTEST APRIL DAY IN HISTORY…
“RECORD HOT NIGHTS IN IRAN. Nearly 100% of Iran pulverized all April records of High max and High Mins.”
https://x.com/extremetemps/status/1916439307868307832
“Iran News: Severe Thunderstorm in Tehran Kills Two, Injures Dozens…
“Tehran and its surrounding areas were battered by a violent thunderstorm on Sunday, April 27, leaving two people dead and at least 41 injured. The deadly incident, which caused widespread disruptions, has once again highlighted the fragility of Iran’s infrastructure in the face of natural disasters.”
“How a solar storm could lead to a US nuclear disaster worse than Chornobyl…
“Solar storms as intense as the 1921 superstorm have the potential to cause a nightmare scenario in which modern power grids, communication systems, and other infrastructures collapse for months. Such a collapse of power grids would likely also lead to nuclear power plant accidents, whose radioactive emissions would aggravate the overall catastrophe.”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/28/solar-storm-nuclear-disaster
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You can read the previous “Climate” thread here. I’ll be back tomorrow with an “Economic” thread.
Hello Pan.
Just a quick note about ‘climate and economy’ based on the ‘new silk road’
Middle Corridor 2025: Fever, dust and cracks in the silk road
In recent years, the European Union has invested heavily in the development of the so-called Middle Corridor: an alternative trade and energy route between China and Europe, running via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. This route was intended to transport not only goods but also strategic energy sources such as gas, uranium and critical earth metals to Europe. The aim was to reduce dependence on Russia, and new connections would guarantee security of supply. Billions of euros in investments, diplomatic agreements and infrastructure projects were announced. The Middle Corridor seemed to be the geopolitical lifeline for a vulnerable European energy transition.
Let’s see what Pan has to say about this region today… The ‘weather report’, as it were.
In April 2025, virtually all weather records were broken in Central Asia and the Caucasus. In Kazakhstan, the temperature rose to 39°C on the plateau, normally still close to freezing at this time of year. In Turkmenistan, 43.3°C was recorded, and in Uzbekistan, 40°C. Tajikistan reported 37°C at an altitude of 1,000 metres. At the same time, Tajikistan warned of dust storms that posed a danger to people with heart and lung diseases.
I
n Afghanistan, 46°C was recorded, an unprecedented temperature in April. In Pakistan and India, an endless series of heat waves broke out, with temperatures reaching almost 50°C. Karachi reported power outages of up to 16 hours a day, while in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas, snowfall is decreasing, heralding a water crisis for millions of people. At the same time, the water conflict between India and Pakistan over the Indus River escalated.
That seems like a great arena to ‘quietly’ build an energy trade route 🙂
The physical conditions along which the Middle Corridor is supposed to run are being disrupted. Not only infrastructure and logistics are threatened, but also the very livability of the region.
In short, the Middle Corridor is not only vulnerable, but an illusion. Climate disruption, ecological destruction and social instability are undermining the foundations on which Europe is building its new Silk Road. Under a sun that burns like never before, what policy documents fail to mention is becoming apparent: the future does not flow through corridors, but evaporates above them.
Thank you for your thoughts, Zip. Central Asia does stand out, along with the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, as a looming epicentre of climate disaster, spawning goodness knows what chaos in the form of conflict, terrorism, mass migration and economic disruption.
It’s easy to lose track of these things, but March was worryingly hot and arid there, too:
“Crops under threat as surprise March heatwave hits Central Asia… Temperatures across the month were up to 10 degrees Celsius hotter in the region than the pre-industrial average…”
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250404-crops-under-threat-as-surprise-march-heatwave-hits-central-asia-study
My first comment went in the “bit bucket”; so, if this appears twice that’s the reason.
“How a solar storm could lead to a US nuclear disaster worse than Chornobyl…
“Chornobyl” I guess the radiation even affects spelling.
But speaking of solar storms, imagine if we had a Carrington Event in today’s world. Talk about havoc.
Carrington Event
Edward, no worries – I deleted the first.
I believe Chornobyl is the Ukrainian spelling, so that may be a low-key expression of pro-Ukrainian solidarity by The Guardian.
I agree – a Carrington Event would be disastrous. It would precipitate a total, global collapse. Paul Beckwith did a good video about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLnioN8Soq0
Music is one of my essential coping mechanisms. True for many of us, I have noted.
My new favorite doom track. “The Poet Acts” – first four minutes of this video. By Philip Glass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrXyMywvHF0
Thank you, Cassandra. I had a vague notion that I didn’t like Philip Glass, philistine that I am… but actually that is pleasingly sombre and not as “challenging” melodically as I expected it to be.
For no particular reason other than I really like it, I’ll return you this quirky piece of theme music by the brilliant Ryuichi Sakamoto, who sadly passed away in 2023:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1JcwJC6JdY
Evocative! Thanks. Never heard of him.
I was waiting to hear a rendition of “Who Let The Dogs Out?” 😉
Just finished watching a beautifully filmed climate disaster movie “The End We Start From” (2024) set in the UK as months and months of heavy rain flood the place. It follows a young woman who gave birth the night of the first storm. She and her husband with the new baby, head for the hills to his rural parents’ place, but the rain just keeps coming.
The husband and his parents head off for a supply run to the village, but never return.
Let the good times roll.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I8aJTxy8DY