Narayan AmmachchiAn enormous heatwave sweeping across Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands is pushing temperatures above 100 °F (37 °C), posing a serious threat to the region’s tourism sector, which had only recently recovered from the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The heat index has reached as high as 125 degrees [farenheit], and the dangerous heat is expected to continue through the weekend,” reported the Washington Post, citing sources from the US National Weather Service.
June 8: Expect another warm day, with heat indices exceeding 102ºF and even 108ºF across northern, western, and eastern interior, where Heat Advisories (orange) and Excessive Heat Warnings (pink) are in effect. #PRwx #USVIwx pic.twitter.com/Pt2LupXczd
— NWS San Juan (@NWSSanJuan) June 8, 2023
News outlets across the Caribbean are warning that the weather might impede travel, resulting in flight cancellations and the closure of seaside resorts.
Some parts of Puerto Rico have reached temperatures even hotter than those in countries from the Arabian Gulf.
Energy distribution companies in Puerto Rico are struggling to restore electricity in some parts of the island due to excessive usage, which has left some grids dry. Water shortages and crop damage have also been reported in some corners of the country.
There are also concerns about potential forest fires. In 2017, a series of wildfires destroyed over 1,000 Puerto Rican homes and businesses. Weather experts have put the blame on the La Niña weather pattern and climate change, warning that the high temperatures could last for weeks.
Climate change is creating new challenges for Latin American economies. Chile recently experienced record forest fires, and Argentina’s economy is also suffering from droughts.
Add comment