Record-breaking heatwave: Hong Kong experiences hottest April in 140 years

Hong Kong experienced its warmest April on record last month, with an average day temperature of 26.4 degrees Celsius, according to the city's weather observatory. This marks the highest temperature recorded for April in the 140 years since meteorological records beganin 1884.

"Summer is not yet here but April was already record-breakingly hot," the observatory announced on social media.

Observatory data revealedthat Hong Kong, a subtropical Chinese city, has been grappling with increasingly extreme heat in recent years, witnessing manyhigh-temperature records, both daily and monthly, since 2019.

On April 27, the city set new daily temperature records for April, with the highest daily maximum reaching 28.8 degrees Celsius and the highest daily low at 27.7 degrees Celsius. This is a significant departure from the average daily temperature range of 21.1 to 25.6 degrees Celsius observed between 1991 and 2020.

The unusually warm April followed an exceptionally warm winter from December to February and a much warmer than usual March. The observatory forecasts above-normal temperatures throughout 2024.

In response to the rising temperatures, Hong Kong's labour department updated its heat stress warning system, now linked to the observatory's hot weather alerts. It has also doubled the minimum duration of a heat advisory from 30 minutes to one hour, mandating rest periods or work suspension based on temperature levels and job types.

Despite reports of fatalities due to heatstroke at work, Hong Kong has not classified heatstroke as a work-related injury in its laws. The labour department introduced its heat stress warning system last year; however, critics argue that its warning thresholds are too high and lack legal accountability for non-compliant employers.

Scientists globally warn that human-induced climate change will lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, posing significant challenges for societies worldwide.

(With inputs from agencies)