Countries yet to experience the most intense heat waves are often especially susceptible, as adaptation measures are often only introduced after the event

Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, and Central America are most at risk of the devastating effects of scorching temperatures, new research led by the University of Bristol has revealed.

Other regions on the list of hotspots are Beijing and Central Europe. And if record-breaking heat waves were to occur in these densely populated regions, millions of people would be adversely affected.

The research, which was published in Nature Communications, points out that heatwaves combined with socioeconomic vulnerability placed the underprepared regions across the world most in peril.

Countries yet to experience the most intense heat waves are often especially susceptible, as adaptation measures are often only introduced after the event.

“As heatwaves occur more often, we need to be better prepared. We identify regions that may have been lucky so far — some of these regions have rapidly growing populations, some are developing nations, some are already very hot. We need to ask if the heat action plans for these areas are sufficient,” Dr Vikki Thompson, lead author of the study, said.

Co-author Dann Mitchell said: “Being prepared saves lives. We have seen some of the most unexpected heat waves around the world lead to heat-related deaths in the tens of thousands. In this study, we show that such record smashing events could occur anywhere. Governments around the world need to be prepared.”

Earlier this month, research conducted by the University of Cambridge revealed that extreme heat has caused more than 24,000 deaths since 1992 and has also driven up air pollution and accelerated glacial melt in northern India. The report also warned that as much as 90 percent of India’s total area now lies in extreme heat danger zones, and the country is not fully prepared

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