Kuwait City, known as the hottest city globally, is witnessing catastrophic events reminiscent of ancient biblical times, with birds falling from the skies and fish boiling alive in the sea.
Once celebrated as the “Marseilles of the Gulf” for its lively fishing industry and dynamic coastline, this Middle Eastern urban center is now grappling with scorching temperatures that surpass even the most extreme heatwaves in Europe.
In its prime, Kuwait City attracted sun-seekers similar to Victorian seaside resorts in Britain. While coastal towns in the UK are adapting to entertainment changes, Kuwait City faces a much harsher challenge – extreme heat.
On July 21, 2016, the Mitribah weather station in northern Kuwait recorded a remarkable temperature of 54C (129F) – ranking as the third-highest globally. Even Europe’s severe Cerberus Heatwave of 2023 would pale in comparison, as Kuwait’s temperatures soared 10C higher.
Projections indicate a further temperature rise of 5.5C (10F) by the end of the century. Demonstrating the escalating global warming crisis, Kuwait endured over 19 days with temperatures exceeding 50C in 2021, a figure expected to be surpassed this year.
The city, characterized by vast concrete and asphalt expanses, is gradually becoming uninhabitable. Venturing outdoors during summer poses significant risks throughout the day.
Scientific evidence shows that the arid nation is experiencing reduced annual rainfall, leading to more frequent and intense dust storms.
Reports indicate birds dropping dead from the sky and seahorses getting cooked alive in the bay. Even the most resilient pigeons are seeking shelter from the scorching sun.
Temperatures reaching 50C are not just uncomfortable but perilous, surpassing the body’s normal temperature by 13C (55F) and potentially causing severe health issues such as heat exhaustion, heart problems, and even death with prolonged exposure.
In response to the extreme heat, the Kuwaiti government has permitted nighttime funerals this year. Wealthier individuals opt to remain indoors in air-conditioned homes, offices, or malls rather than risk the oppressive heat outdoors.
The current conditions have spurred the development of innovative infrastructure, including indoor shopping streets with palm trees and European-style stores, offering a respite from the harsh weather. A study in 2020 revealed that two-thirds (67%) of household electricity consumption is attributed to continuous use of air conditioning units.
Highlighting the “high quality of life” in Kuwait, expat Joshua Wood describes it as “modern, luxurious, and safe,” despite cautioning about the extreme heat from May to September, particularly noting the intense heat during June to August.
Despite the soaring temperatures, Kuwait’s streets remain vibrant with activity, largely driven by migrant workers who make up approximately 70% of the population. These workers, drawn by the controversial kafala system, mainly seek employment in construction and domestic services, crowding the buses and streets of the capital.
Recent research from the Institute of Physics underscores the heightened health risks faced by migrant workers due to extreme heat. Without climate change action, heat-related deaths could increase by 5.1% to 11.7% among Kuwait’s population by the end of the century, with non-Kuwaiti residents potentially facing a 15% rise.
Kuwait’s substantial carbon footprint, surpassed only by Bahrain and Qatar, underscores the visible impact of global warming. Despite setting a modest emission reduction goal of 7.4% by 2035 at COP26, Kuwait lags behind regional counterparts in climate action.
Energy consumption is anticipated to triple by 2030, primarily driven by increased air conditioning usage, as the state heavily subsidizes electricity and water costs, discouraging residents from cutting back.
Environmental expert Salman Zafar warns of severe consequences ahead, including floods, droughts, aquifer depletion, coastal inundation, frequent sandstorms, biodiversity loss, ecosystem damage, agricultural threats, and disease outbreaks due to global warming.
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