Asia News Wrap: Bangkok heat wave reaches 'dangerous' level, and more

Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week

Bangkok sizzles amidst heat wave, reaches dangerous level

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) warned that the city's heat index reached a "dangerous" level on Monday, raising serious health concerns for residents. 

According to the BMA's Environment Department, the highest heat index recorded for the day ranged from 42 to 51.9 degrees Celsius, classified as "dangerous," with a risk of rising to the "very dangerous" level, which exceeds 52 degrees. The authorities explained that while actual air temperatures remain around 38-40 degrees Celsius, high humidity is pushing the "feels like" temperature significantly higher, increasing the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

China's Long March-8 rocket launches new internet satellites

China launched its 21st batch of low-Earth orbit internet satellites from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on Thursday. The satellites were carried aboard a Long March 6 modified carrier rocket on its 637th flight and successfully reached their intended orbits, marking a successful mission.

Sri Lanka raises cooking gas prices by 23%

Sri Lanka on Monday increased liquefied petroleum gas prices by 23%, citing higher global prices caused by the Iran war. In addition to gas, Sri Lanka imports all its oil and purchases coal for electricity generation. Colombo has warned that a prolonged war in the Middle East could seriously hinder efforts to recover from its 2022 economic meltdown. Monday's gas price hike adds to an 8% increase in March.

Measles outbreak in Bangladesh prompts emergency vaccination campaign

Bangladesh launched an emergency vaccination campaign on Sunday to protect over a million children amid a rapidly spreading measles outbreak across the country. Health Ministry figures show 17 confirmed measles deaths so far, with 113 suspected deaths and over 7,500 suspected cases nationwide. 

The campaign, led by the Health Ministry with support from UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, began in 18 high-risk districts, according to a joint press release. Children aged 6 months to 5 years are being prioritized, especially those who missed routine immunizations and are at the highest risk of serious complications. The World Health Organization told Reuters that the outbreak, now affecting 56 of Bangladesh's 64 districts, would likely continue to spread in the upcoming days but is expected to be contained shortly after the vaccination campaign starts.

(Cover: People walk with umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun during hot weather in Bangkok, Thailand, 26 March 2026. /CFP)