By: Dahlia M. Taha, Al Enteshar Newspaper

August 3, 2023

As the summer of 2023 continues to unfold, the Middle East finds itself engulfed in a relentless wave of extreme heat, sending temperatures soaring to unprecedented heights. With record-breaking temperatures, droughts, and health hazards affecting millions of people across the region, experts are calling attention to the urgent need for climate action and mitigation strategies to address this escalating crisis.

Jordan
According the National Weather Service, the thermometer has reached alarming levels in Jordan, surpassing the usual summer heat. Cities like Amman have experienced temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), leading to energy consumption spikes, water shortages, and a spike in heat-related illnesses. The scorching weather has posed a significant challenge to the nation’s water resources, with the country heavily reliant on aquifers that are depleting at alarming rates. As a result, agricultural lands have been severely affected, posing a threat to food security and local economies.

The relentless heatwave has further compounded the strain on Jordan’s health system, leading to an increase in heat strokes, dehydration cases, and respiratory problems. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, young children, and low-income communities, bear the brunt of this sweltering weather, raising concerns about the government’s capacity to provide adequate support and relief.
In an interview with Al Enteshar Newspaper, Raed Al-Khattab, Director General of the Jordanian Meteorology explained that the months of July and August are the hottest in Jordan, “The country is affected by heat waves, and this wave is the start of it,” she explained “Accordng to weather indicators, there will be more heat waves during the next month. Jordanians must be prepared for this.”

This heat waves coincided with the major high school exams. Due to the extreme heat and lack of central air, the students in the exam halls were provided with water and electric fans to help them stay cool while testing. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department advised citizens to drink plenty of fluids, not to be exposed to direct sunlight, and to wear light clothes and hats, especially for high school students.

Syria
Similarly, Syria is no stranger to oppressive heat, but this year’s heatwave has reached new heights. The National Weather Service reported that cities like Damascus and Aleppo are experiencing scalding temperatures, breaking previous records, and leaving residents desperate for any respite. With power outages becoming more frequent due to increased demand for cooling, electricity grids are strained, exacerbating the challenges for both households and businesses. Agricultural production is also feeling the brunt, as crops wither under the unforgiving sun, leading to food security concerns for the nation.

During an interview with Elian Sayegh, a Syrian living in Los Angeles but frequently returning to Syria for periods of up to 5 months to restore his war-ravaged home, he shared his experiences and challenges. “We are experiencing daily power outages for more than 10 hours a day in temperatures that exceed 43 degrees. It is insufferable and impossible to live,” Sayegh explained.

“Where are we supposed to go when the danger is the intense and horrible climate? The climate crisis adds an entirely new layer of challenges while also exacerbating existing crises.”

Palestine
Palestine, too, is caught in the grips of this meteorological inferno. Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem are witnessing sweltering conditions, further stressing the already fragile socio-economic and political situation in the region. The heat is compounding existing water scarcity issues, as water demand rises while supplies dwindle. The region’s infrastructure struggles to cope with the soaring temperatures, leading to power outages and potential disruptions in essential services. With elevated temperatures and high humidity, and the continuation of the power outage crisis for long hours, the citizens of Gaza are struggling in their day to day lives.

“With this heat, we are experiencing outages so there is no electricity. Both young and old, no one here is able to live regular lives due to this hot weather,” Laila Hamdan, a 70-year-old resident of Gaza explained.

With the scorching temperatures, Gazans are looking for different solutions to stay cool in this weather. “The houses have turned into ovens, the fans blow hot air and heat radiates from the walls. Because of this, we take our children and families to sit outside in the street,” Hamdan continued. “This is a bad and miserable condition for us. The electricity is completely non-existent There are no solutions in sight.”

Iraq

Meanwhile in other regions such as Iraq, citizens have resorted to blaming the government for failing to modernize the electricity grid forcing people to depend in part on energy imports from Iran.

“First of all, it’s hot, and secondly, we don’t have electricity or water as the grids have failed, so where do we go? We do not have money to go to swimming pools, we do not have anything here, we just have this beach where we can go to swim. Families are bringing their children here under duress, as there is no electricity.” Haider Abdullah, a resident of Basra, Iraq explained.

Lebanon
Lebanon is grappling with a series of crises that have led to a critical shortage of fuel oil, significantly impacting the country’s power supply. (UN News, 2021). As a result, extended power outages have affected civilians, businesses, and even vital institutions like hospitals. Adding to the woes, forested areas in the Akkar governorate in northern Lebanon have been engulfed in devastating fires over the course of several days, with Hell Valley witnessing the most prominent blaze.

Tragically, numerous hectares of lush green spaces have been consumed by the flames in various regions. To combat the inferno, the Lebanese army has mobilized its helicopters alongside firefighting teams. The urgency stems from the fires spreading into rugged terrains and slopes, causing massive erosion, and leading to the loss of countless fir and cedar tree leaves. Parts of the once thriving forest have now been reduced to ashes, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Climate scientists and experts have long warned about the consequences of climate change on extreme weather events, and the current heatwave in the Middle East serves as a stark reminder of these predictions. Rising global temperatures, coupled with regional factors like deforestation and urban heat island effects, have intensified the heatwave’s impact, causing it to be more severe and prolonged.

Local authorities and international aid organizations are working tirelessly to alleviate the hardships caused by this relentless heatwave. Emergency response teams have been deployed to provide aid to vulnerable populations, including the distribution of water, food, and medical supplies. Educational campaigns are being rolled out to raise awareness about heat-related illnesses and the importance of staying hydrated and cool during this time.

While immediate relief efforts are critical, long-term strategies to combat the effects of climate change need to be prioritized. Countries in the Middle East must focus on renewable energy sources, water conservation, afforestation, and urban planning to mitigate the adverse impacts of future heatwaves.

In conclusion, the heatwave ravaging the Middle East has been a wake-up call for the entire region. The urgency of addressing climate change and its consequences has never been more evident. As the world faces this collective challenge, cooperation, and concerted efforts from both local governments and the global community are necessary to protect the people and the environment from the growing threat of extreme heat.