Warnings issued as Asia swelters in extreme heatwave

South and Southeast Asia braced for more extreme heat today as authorities across the region issued health warnings and residents fled to parks and air-conditioned shopping centres for relief.

A wave of exceptionally hot weather has blasted the region over the past week, sending the mercury as high as 45C and forcing thousands of schools to tell students to stay home.

The Philippines announced today the suspension of in-person classes at all public schools for two days after a record-shattering day of heat in the capital Manila.