The United Nations weather agency is investigating media reports suggesting a new record high temperature of over 38 C (100.4 F) in the Arctic Circle amid a heat wave and prolonged wildfires in eastern Siberia. The recent temperatures seem to have been 18 degrees Celsius higher than normal in June. These higher temperatures are pushing the world towards what might be the hottest year on record, despite a fall in emissions due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.
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Key-Points:
Concerns have been raised over the rising temperatures, which could eventually lead to the melting of the permafrost on which some northern Russian cities are built.
Earlier in June, Russia declared a state of emergency after a power plant fuel leak in its Arctic region caused nearly 20,000 tonnes of diesel oil to escape into a local river called Ambarnaya.
The oil spill was caused when a tank at the power plant collapsed due to melting permafrost, which weakened the support it provided to the tank.
The number & intensity of wildfires in northeast Siberia of Arctic Circle has continued to increase over the last few days.
Heatwave occurrences in this region have already started to threaten local vegetation, ecology, human health, and economy.
