image sourced from original article at An intense heat wave across South and Southeast Asia has pushed temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, leaving millions struggling to cope. In cities like Manila, students and workers endure stifling conditions as air-conditioning systems fail to keep pace with soaring heat and humidity.
The crisis has been worsened by an energy crunch linked to the war in Iran, which has disrupted oil and gas supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Many countries in the region rely heavily on these imports, and lower- and middle-income nations are especially vulnerable to rising fuel costs and supply constraints.
As a result, governments from Bangladesh to the Philippines have introduced measures to conserve energy, including limiting air-conditioning use and setting minimum thermostat temperatures. With demand for cooling surging amid extreme heat, relief has become increasingly scarce and unaffordable for many households and institutions.
