According to a recently published analytical report by the World Bank, the increasingly intensifying heat in major cities across Central Asia and Europe has been recorded as a serious threat. The document notes that abnormal temperatures in cities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are causing irreversible negative effects on human life, labor markets, and infrastructure, reports worldbank.org.
According to the research findings, in Ashgabat, there are 25–28 heat-related deaths annually per 100,000 population. Similarly tragic figures have been recorded in Tashkent, Astana, and Bishkek — in these cities, the death rate ranges from 19 to 21 per 100,000 people.
The most concerning issue is that these numbers may worsen further in the future. By 2090, up to 10,000–23,000 people could die annually from heat in megacities like Tashkent and Astana. These figures should serve as a serious wake-up call for all levels of decision-makers.
In 2023 alone, rising temperatures in the ECA region caused the loss of more than 87,000 full-time jobs — 22,000 of them in Uzbekistan and nearly 18,000 in Azerbaijan. This shows that heat inflicts destructive damage not only on health but also on the economy.
In major cities where over 70% of the population of Europe and Central Asia resides, the number of hot days is expected to at least triple by 2050. In some cities, the number could reach up to 70 hot days per year.
The report outlines urgent measures that need to be implemented now, including:
- increasing green spaces and planting trees in urban areas;
- modifying buildings for passive cooling;
- establishing early warning systems for heat risks;
- improving the healthcare system;
- setting up special “cooling centers”;
- using heat-resistant construction materials;
- considering climate anomalies when planning infrastructure.
Additionally, in Kyrgyzstan, around 200 km of roads are damaged every year due to extreme temperatures. This not only harms infrastructure but also disrupts economic activity, as repairs require major spending and transportation logistics face interruptions.
By 2050, annual economic losses from heat in Ashgabat and eight other ECA cities may exceed 2% of GDP. This could significantly impact the state budget, investment policy, and social stability.
If urgent action is not taken today, extreme heat could become not just a global issue, but a personal threat to every individual. Acting now means protecting tomorrow. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
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