The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist over the plains of Northwest India for the next five days. Several regions of the country are already experiencing severe heatwave conditions, posing a threat to both humans and animals. The combination of heatwaves and soaring temperatures also increases the risk of wildfires.

On Tuesday (May 21), a wildfire broke out in the mountainous Tutikandi forest in Shimla. Fortunately, it was brought under control after fire tenders reached the site promptly.

In Uttarakhand, frequent wildfires have resulted in a significant loss of forest cover due to long dry spells and heatwave in the region.

Heatwaves and wildfires are not just confined to India; the phenomenon is being witnessed across the globe. Brazil’s Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, has experienced its largest blazes on record in the first four months of the year.

Temperatures are also soaring in Pakistan, with heatwave conditions forecasted across the country. In Lahore, the temperature can go up to 45 or 46 degree Celsius in the next couple of days, according to the Pakistan Met office. It has issued an advisory for South Punjab and parts of Sindh, where the temperatures are expected to rise by 6 to 8 degrees. In certain areas of central Punjab, the temperature will be 4 to 6 degrees higher than normal.

In Mexico, howler monkeys have been dropping dead from trees in southeastern tropical forests in recent weeks, amid a nationwide drought and heatwaves that have sent temperatures soaring across much of the country. In the state of Tabasco, where temperatures are forecasted this week to surpass 45 degree Celsius, local media have reported up to 85 deaths.