Death Valley, the hottest place on Earth, has officially set a new record for the hottest month in history. According to the National Park Service (NPS), the park's average temperature in July was 108.5 degrees Fahrenheit (42.5 degrees Celsius), surpassing the previous record of 108.1 degrees Fahrenheit (42.3 degrees Celsius) set in 2018.
This extreme heat wave caused life-threatening events, including the death of a tourist who was exposed to the scorching heat and another who was hospitalized. The heat was so severe that it even caused skin burns on a Belgian tourist who lost his sandals and had to walk barefoot in the sand.
The park service has issued a warning to visitors to stay within 10 minutes of air-conditioned vehicles, drink plenty of water and eat salty snacks, and wear hats and sunscreen to protect themselves from the extreme heat.
This unprecedented heat wave is a warning sign of the increasing global temperature and the need for urgent action to mitigate its effects. The world will continue to witness records of extreme heat events as the temperature continues to rise.