On Friday, the United Arab Emirates recorded an unprecedented temperature of 50.4 degrees Celsius, the highest ever documented for May, following a series of intense heatwaves troubling this desert nation, which is particularly susceptible to climate change.
During Friday prayers, attendees mentioned feeling faint, with some individuals appearing disoriented, even in a nation accustomed to high temperatures.
The record-breaking heat was observed in an area of Abu Dhabi, the capital city of this oil-rich Gulf nation, situated in one of the hottest regions worldwide.
“The heat today was beyond unbearable,” commented a 26-year-old resident of Abu Dhabi who unfortunately arrived late to the mosque and had to pray outside. “By the end of the prayers, I was soaked in sweat,” he added, wishing to remain anonymous, and expressed feelings of near fainting.
The recorded temperature of 50.4°C (122.7°F) is the highest for May since 2003, surpassing the previous record of 50.2°C from 2009, as stated by the National Center of Meteorology.
Recently, the UAE—one of the largest oil producers globally and the host of the COP28 climate summit in 2023—just experienced a record-breaking April, with an average daily high of 42.6 degrees Celsius.
– ‘Swaying right and left’ –
On the same day, the NMC advised residents to prioritize safety by avoiding direct sunlight, staying hydrated, dressing appropriately, and applying sunscreen.
The extreme heat on Friday was compounded by humidity levels reaching 80% in certain areas of Abu Dhabi.
“I actually witnessed someone swaying back and forth on the street before they had to stop,” shared Mohammed Juma, a 31-year-old marketing professional from Dubai. “It’s genuinely concerning for everyone.”
Youssef, 45, a hot air balloon operator for tourists in Dubai, described the oppressive conditions as rendering him “incapable of doing anything.” He added, “The issue lies with the humidity. The air felt devoid of oxygen,” opting not to share his full name.
Research indicates that persistent heatwaves are a significant indicator of global warming, expected to become more frequent, prolonged, and severe in the future. In the last thirty years, the number of extremely hot days has nearly doubled worldwide.
Workers in the Arab region face some of the highest risks related to heat stress globally, with a staggering 83.6% encountering excessive heat exposure in their professions, as noted in a 2024 report by the International Labour Organization, a UN agency.
The dangers posed by a warming climate were tragically evident last June when over 1,300 individuals lost their lives due to extreme heat while undertaking the annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in neighboring Saudi Arabia, according to official data—most of whom were unauthorized pilgrims exposed to lengthy periods outdoors.
A 2022 study by Greenpeace highlighted that the Middle East is at substantial risk for both water and food shortages, along with extreme heatwaves, due to climate change.
This report, which examined six countries including the UAE, found that the region is warming at nearly double the rate of the global average, rendering its food and water supplies “exceptionally vulnerable” to the impacts of climate change.