A collected photo captured in central Asia

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, May 19, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - 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 (98.8 degrees Fahrenheit) 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
(104 degrees Fahrenheit) 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.

March temperatures in Central Asia were up to 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees
Fahrenheit) hotter than the pre-industrial average, according to World
Weather Attribution, a coalition of scientists that studies the impact of
climate change on extreme weather events.

Despite being as vast as Europe and rich in natural resources, Central Asia -
- home to just around 80 million people -- remains relatively poor.

The region spans several climate zones but typically experiences hot, dry
summers and cold, harsh winters.