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This sounds shocking to a lot of people, but it's not new or unexpected, and it's not even that uncomfortable if you have shade and water. I don't mean to downp

This sounds shocking to a lot of people, but it's not new or unexpected, and it's not even that uncomfortable if you have shade and water. I don't mean to downplay the risk to those who don't have shade or water, or who have to work exposed, but it's not as scary as you might think. I lived in Tempe, AZ for years, and summer temperatures would regularly be over 45C/113F. I walked or biked four miles to work in that. There were a few days when it hit 50C/122F, and while you didn't want to be exposed to the sun for long, it was tolerable. Low humidity makes a huge difference in what you can put up with.

awakeasleep 7y ago
You're missing the effect of humidity. Our bodies rely on evaporative cooling to reduce heat, which is why we sweat and why you need water. When humidity is above 50% evaporative cooling stops working, so temperatures slightly above our body temperature become lethal.
- bdcravens 7y ago
  > Low humidity makes a huge difference in what you can put up with.
- caymanjim 7y ago
  Rajasthan is a desert. The city mentioned in the article, Churu, currently has a humidity of 11%. I mentioned Tempe because it's nearly an identical climate. I've spent time in Ajmer, India, which is pretty close to Churu. It was only about 45C/113F when I was there. Obviously this is all anecdotal, but my anecdote here isn't off base.
  - z3phyr 7y ago
    Its absolutely not localized to Rajasthan. Almost the whole of north india is under a heat wave. And we recorded 37% humidity today in Delhi (The capital) with 47 C temprature and hot winds.
    - caymanjim 7y ago
      I went back to the article and realized I lazily skimmed after the beginning. Delhi and other areas are much more oppressively humid. Mumbai is stifling even when it's "only" 35C. Most of Rajastan is pretty comfortable even well into the 40s though.
mikhailfranco 7y ago
Agreed. Riyadh has daily maxima of >40C from May to October, and >45C June-August, peaking about 49C in a normal year. It has low humidity and a little altitude (700m), so it is rarely over 50C (shade), but is certainly over 50C in the city, on the street, in the sun. It's relatively easy to walk or run up to 30 minutes on the commute, or after work, when temperatures are up to 43C, without carrying any water. A few years ago, there was more danger from the religious police for wearing running shorts, than from the high temperatures.

awakeasleep 7y ago

You're missing the effect of humidity. Our bodies rely on evaporative cooling to reduce heat, which is why we sweat and why you need water. When humidity is above 50% evaporative cooling stops working, so temperatures slightly above our body temperature become lethal.

bdcravens 7y ago
> Low humidity makes a huge difference in what you can put up with.
caymanjim 7y ago
Rajasthan is a desert. The city mentioned in the article, Churu, currently has a humidity of 11%. I mentioned Tempe because it's nearly an identical climate. I've spent time in Ajmer, India, which is pretty close to Churu. It was only about 45C/113F when I was there. Obviously this is all anecdotal, but my anecdote here isn't off base.
- z3phyr 7y ago
  Its absolutely not localized to Rajasthan. Almost the whole of north india is under a heat wave. And we recorded 37% humidity today in Delhi (The capital) with 47 C temprature and hot winds.
  - caymanjim 7y ago
    I went back to the article and realized I lazily skimmed after the beginning. Delhi and other areas are much more oppressively humid. Mumbai is stifling even when it's "only" 35C. Most of Rajastan is pretty comfortable even well into the 40s though.

mikhailfranco 7y ago

Agreed. Riyadh has daily maxima of >40C from May to October, and >45C June-August, peaking about 49C in a normal year. It has low humidity and a little altitude (700m), so it is rarely over 50C (shade), but is certainly over 50C in the city, on the street, in the sun. It's relatively easy to walk or run up to 30 minutes on the commute, or after work, when temperatures are up to 43C, without carrying any water. A few years ago, there was more danger from the religious police for wearing running shorts, than from the high temperatures.