PARIS: The unfortunate heatwave that hit India and Pakistan over the previous two months is unprecedented, but worse is on the way as climate change accelerates.

According to new research published this week, South Asia is statistically due for a "big one," just as California is poised for a large quake.

In March and April, almost a billion people in India and Pakistan faced temperatures far above 40°C (104 Fahrenheit). 

The summer heat is still to come.

Berkeley Earth's lead scientist, Robert Rohde, said the heatwave might kill hundreds in a tweet.

Heatwave Pakistan

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the current heatwave will continue for the next week, with daily temperatures rising by 6-8 degrees Celsius.

The government predicted high pressure would cause daytime temperatures to soar sharply across the country next week. Due to the dry weather, water reservoirs, crops, vegetables, and orchards were at risk.

The prognosis predicted 7-9°C daytime temperatures in upper Punjab, Islamabad, KPK, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, and 6-8°C daytime temperatures in upper and central Sindh, central and southern Punjab, and Balochistan.

In March and April, almost a billion people in Pakistan and India were exposed to temperatures exceeding 40°C (104 Fahrenheit). The summer heat is still to come.