2025-04-04T09:21:06.000Z

---

Representative image (AFP)

ALMATY: In a striking revelation, a recent study published on Friday has shed light on an unexpected heatwave that swept through Central Asia in March, raising serious concerns about the region's agriculture and water resources. This largely rural area, which is already grappling with the severe consequences of climate change, finds itself at risk as temperatures soared to alarming levels.

The report, compiled by the coalition known as World Weather Attribution, revealed that temperatures across the region reached up to 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) above the pre-industrial average during March. This startling increase underscores the urgent need to address climate-related challenges faced by Central Asian nations. The coalition, which consists of a network of scientists dedicated to studying the links between climate change and extreme weather events, indicated that the impact of climate change had intensified the heatwave by approximately 4 degrees Celsius. However, the scientists cautioned that this figure might actually be an underestimate of the true extent of climate influence.

Maja Vahlberg, a technical adviser at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and a participant in the study, emphasized that the nature of this heatwave was particularly alarming. “This is a heatwave that didn't make headlines — it happened in spring and in a region that isn’t exactly known for blistering heatwaves,” Vahlberg stated, highlighting the unusual timing and severity of the weather phenomenon.

The research covered the five Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, all of which are now grappling with the repercussions of these elevated temperatures. Ben Clarke, a climate scientist from Imperial College London, expressed astonishment at the magnitude of the temperature rise, noting, “Our heatwave studies often detect changes of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius (35-39 degrees Fahrenheit), so a 10-degree Celsius increase is quite frankly bonkers.”

The consequences of the heatwave are manifold, with significant ramifications for agriculture and public health. Friederike Otto, who co-heads the World Weather Attribution initiative, remarked, “Hotter March temperatures are impacting agriculture harvests and access to water in Central Asia, as well as people’s health.” This is particularly concerning as the landlocked region is already facing critical water shortages, exacerbated by the melting of glaciers.

According to a report by the Eurasian Development Bank, between 14 and 30 percent of glaciers in the Tian-Shan and Pamir mountain ranges—the two primary ranges in Central Asia—have melted over the past 60 years. These glaciers are vital for maintaining water supply, and their rapid decline poses a serious threat to the livelihoods of the local population.

The timing of this heatwave is particularly concerning, as it coincides with a crucial agricultural season. This period marks the blooming of fruits such as almonds, apricots, and cherries, as well as the sowing of wheat, which is integral to the region’s food supply. Notably, approximately half of the workforce in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is employed in agriculture, a sector that constitutes about one-fifth of the region's economy.

In some areas, temperatures soared to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), which is highly unusual for March. Central Asia is typically characterized by its extremely hot summers and harsh, cold winters, making such early-season heatwaves all the more alarming. Climate scientists warn that the occurrence of early heatwaves in this region is likely to become a trend rather than an isolated event. “We should expect events like this often,” Clarke cautioned during an online briefing with AFP.