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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Rebecca Ratcliffe , south-east Asia correspondent and agencies

Wave of exceptionally hot weather scorches south and south-east Asia

A girl cools off during the heat wave at the Suhrawardy Udyan water reserve in Dhaka, Bangladesh
A girl cools off during a heatwave at the Suhrawardy Udyan water reserve in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as heat blasts south and south-east Asia. Photograph: Monirul Alam/EPA

Millions of people across South and Southeast Asia are facing sweltering temperatures, with unusually hot weather forcing schools to close and threatening public health.

Thousands of schools across the Philippines, including in the capital region Metro Manila, have suspended in-person classes. Half of the country’s 82 provinces are experiencing drought, and nearly 31 others are facing dry spells or dry conditions, according to the UN, which has called for greater support to help the country prepare for similar weather events in the future. The country’s upcoming harvest will probably be below average, the UN said.

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