Various regions across the globe have been experiencing a barrage of extreme weather events in recent months. From record-breaking heat waves to devastating floods and severe droughts, these events are having profound impacts on communities, economies and ecosystems.

Heat waves scorch multiple countries

Officials report that India is experiencing the longest heat wave on record, with temperatures recently exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in some regions. According to India's Meteorological Department, temperatures in some parts of Delhi, the country's second-most populated city, soared to between 45 and 47 degrees Celsius on Thursday and are expected to remain in this range through the weekend. The city is now facing a severe water crisis as the country undergoes its "longest spell" of recorded heat waves.

Early summer heat waves have gripped Europe, with maximum temperatures on the Greek holiday island of Crete reaching 44.5 degrees Celsius. In response, authorities closed the Athens Acropolis and other tourist attractions during the hottest hours of the day. Türkiye is also experiencing a massive heat wave, with air temperatures 8 to 12 degrees above seasonal norms throughout the week. On Friday, Cyprus issued its first red alert of the summer for extreme heat, as the meteorological department confirmed that maximum temperatures reached 45 degrees Celsius.

China has also experienced intense heat recently, with temperatures in the northern and eastern regions approaching 40 degrees Celsius. The country has ramped up efforts to protect people, crops and infrastructure in these areas.

Heavy rains flood cities, damage crops

While some regions battled with scorching temperatures, others faced catastrophic flooding. 

In Murcia, southeastern Spain, over 50 liters of rain per square meter fell in an hour, heavily impacting Calasparra and Altiplano. The mayor of Calasparra, Teresa Garcia, said they have "lost many kilos of fruit, more than 15,000 hectares (150 square kilometers) affected between the towns of Cieza and Calasparra."

Flights at Palma de Mallorca airport in Spain were suspended on Tuesday after a sudden storm flooded the runways. According to Spain's state weather service, AEMET, 71.8 millimeters of rain fell at the airport in four hours, marking the first rainfall in a week.

Flooding and landslips have killed five people in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire's biggest city, after heavy downpours, the fire service said on Friday. Roads were cut off amid rain on Thursday afternoon in most areas of the city, which has a population of 6 million.

In the U.S., Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for South Florida due to heavy rain and flooding after 24 hours of inclement weather. Flash flood warnings were issued for Miami-Dade and Broward counties, where heavy rainfall submerged streets and caused traffic disruptions. Sarasota recorded a record 3.93 inches (about 10 centimeters) of rain in an hour, leading to ground stops at Miami International and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airports, resulting in delays exceeding seven hours.

Severe droughts ravage ecology

Amid a severe drought in northern Mexico, the Bustillos Lagoon has experienced a significant water reduction, leading to the death of thousands of fish. Authorities noted the lagoon was below 50 percent of its usual level, causing concentrated pollutants that endangered local species.

Since the beginning of May, low precipitation and high temperatures have led to drought in vast parts of China, according to the Ministry of Water Resources. It activated an emergency response on Wednesday to drought in eight provinces, namely Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi and Gansu.

Wildfires are ravaging Brazil's Pantanal, the largest tropical wetland globally. According to the BBC on June 10, nearly 32,000 hectares (320 square kilometers) have succumbed to the flames in Mato Grosso do Sul state. Experts note an earlier and more intense wildfire season this year, with a staggering 935 percent increase in fires compared to last year, as per Brazil's National Institute for Space Research.