Than Toe Aung, a food deliveryman at home, he pedals his bicycle in the heat of the heat wave in Yangon, the economic capital of Burma, where the military junta prohibits circulation in vehicles motorized two wheels
“I sweat a lot when I go out to work”says Than Toe Aung, 27, who works for the Foodpanda platform in Yangon, Burma’s economic capital.
“In the last few days, it has been warmer,” it states. A heat wave has been hitting South and Southeast Asia for several days. The authorities recommend that residents not go out on the streets to preserve their health.
Than Toe Aung applied a herbal paste called “thanaka”, Popular in Burma, it supposedly protects you from sun exposure.
Several years ago, the junta then in power banned motorized two-wheeled vehicles in Yangon for “security reasons”leaving only bicycles as the only alternative for delivery workers like Than.
“The worst year”
On Sunday, the mercury rose to 40°C on city streets, and when the heat turns strong, many delivery drivers don’t go out, making work more intense for others, Than says.
When he has a moment of rest, the delivery man settles down to eat rice and vegetables in the shade of a restaurant.
“Sometimes we have to wait on the street for 30 minutes while they prepare the order”he points out.
According to him, a delivery driver earns on average the equivalent of between 10 and 15 dollars a day.
The current heat wave is taking its toll on a city with an aging electrical grid that struggles to keep air conditioners and fans running during the hot season. “This is the worst year”a 37-year-old taxi driver tells AFP.
“Last week I had a fever for two days after working in the sun”. Additionally, he says his income has decreased because people avoid going out during the day.
“I stay in the shade of the trees near the station waiting for my turn.”, account. Across Myanmar, temperatures in recent days have been 3 to 4 degrees higher than the April average, state media reported.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, many countries in Asia experienced 2023, their hottest year ever recorded. Experts believe these heat waves are becoming longer, more intense and more frequent due to global warming.
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Source: Gestion
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