Spring heat breaks records in Central Asia

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan: Central Asia has been in the grip of a heatwave this spring, with all five countries reporting abnormally high -- and in some cases record-breaking -- temperatures over the past three months.

The five ex-Soviet states that make up the region are particularly vulnerable to global warming. Many work in the agricultural sector, which is already grappling with water shortages, while drought conditions have threatened harvests and hydropower generation.

Temperatures in Kyrgyzstan´s capital Bishkek reached a scorching 37.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday, a record high for May, the country´s meteorological service told AFP on Monday. Several cities in neighbouring Uzbekistan experienced record-breaking heat in April, while temperatures in some regions exceeded the norm by up to five degrees.

In Turkmenistan, thermometers in the capital Ashgabat hit 40 degrees Celsius in April, the hottest for that month since records began in 1891, the country´s meteorological service told AFP.

In Kazakhstan, which experienced an unusually warm winter, the government forecast drought in 11 regions this month. In Tajikistan, authorities reported abnormal temperatures, without providing details.