The first severe heat wave of the year has covered the eastern third of the United States, threatening nearly 160 million people as temperatures in the New York metro area are expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius this week.
The heat wave started over the weekend and is expected to last until mid-week, directly affecting major cities such as Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a severe heat warning and advised people to pay attention to the risk of death due to extreme weather.
In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams warned that the heat level is not only uncomfortable but also life-threatening, noting that about 500 people die from heat each year in the city of 8 million people. He called on people to have the right awareness and take urgent action to prevent the danger.
The city's health agencies have opened cooling centers at libraries, sports centers and some other public facilities to help the elderly, people with underlying diseases or those without air conditioners have a place to avoid the heat.
At Central Park - the "longan" of Manhattan - the temperature on June 23 reached 36 degrees Celsius, equal to the record recorded in 1888. At the same time, in the Harlem area, manual laborers continued to work in harsh sun conditions.
In the Washington Heights area, local authorities have opened several fire towers so people can release water to cool. Ronald Marcelin, a 44-year-old air conditioning technician, was sweating while repairing a refrigerator for a pizza restaurant, sharing: "I take the heat to cool everyone else."
In the capital Washington, D.C., the temperature index - the temperature felt in terms of humidity - is forecast to reach 43 degrees Celsius, prompting the government to urge people to use public swimming pools and heat shelters to protect their health.
Notably, the heat coincided with the Democratic primary election in New York. The two prominent candidates, Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani, are expected to compete fiercely despite the high temperatures.
Scientists say that the current extreme heat waves are a clear sign of global warming. 2024 was recorded as the hottest year on record, and 2025 is expected to be in the three hottest years.
