Several thousand schools closed due to extreme heat in Philippine

Extreme heat scorched parts of South and Southeast Asia on Wednesday (Apr 24), prompting several thousand schools across the Philippines to suspend classes.

Extensive scientific research has found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.

“It's so hot you can't breathe,” said Erlin Tumaron, 60, who works at a Philippine seaside resort in Cavite province, south of Manila, where the heat index reached 47 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

“It's surprising our pools are still empty. You would expect people to come and take a swim, but it seems they're reluctant to leave their homes because of the heat.”