Record heat wave in the US: hundreds affected, FIFA concerned

The intense heat wave observed across much of the US territory is seriously affecting major public events in the country. Due to the extreme heat, several events planned for the US 250th Independence Day celebration have been modified, and the fate of some FIFA World Cup matches is also being discussed.

The Guardian reports that the international World Weather Attribution research group has explained the extreme heat in parts of the US and Canada with a high-pressure atmospheric system known as a "heat dome." According to experts, global climate change is causing such extreme weather events to occur more frequently.

According to scientists' calculations, if the Earth's average atmospheric temperature had not risen by 1.4 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels, this level of heat would have been almost unheard of.

Imperial College researcher Theodore Kipping notes that today's US climate is completely different from the era when the country declared independence. Meanwhile, several changes have been made to anniversary events in Washington due to high temperatures. It has been reported that more than ten participants received medical assistance, and 11 people were hospitalized.

The extreme heat could also affect FIFA World Cup matches. In particular, the France–Paraguay match scheduled in Philadelphia is planned to take place in high temperature and humidity conditions. The international football players' association has stated that under such circumstances, there is a possibility of rescheduling or postponing games.

At one public event in Pennsylvania, more than 100 people required medical assistance due to the effects of the heat. In response, additional ambulance brigades and mobile cooling stations have been deployed to the area.

In addition, the country's major railway carrier Amtrak has also cancelled more than 20 train services in northeastern areas due to high temperatures and warned passengers of possible delays.

Experts emphasize that the impact of global warming is strengthening year by year, once again reminding of the urgent need to take swift measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.