UK Heatwaves Linked to Over 2,700 Deaths

London. Experts estimate that more than 2,700 people may have died due to excessive heat in May and June in the UK. 

A team of experts from Imperial College London, Met Office, and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has released this estimate based on data related to the risk of excessive heat. According to researchers, most deaths occurred due to the June heatwave. This June has become the hottest June in England's history. During this, the temperature reached 37.7 degrees Celsius in Llyngwyn, Norfolk, breaking the previous record of 35.6 degrees Celsius set in 1957. At that time, a rare 'Red Heat Alert' was issued in parts of England and Wales, warning of a great risk to life even for healthy people.

Similarly, on May 26, the temperature at Kew Gardens reached 35.1 degrees Celsius, setting a new record for the month of May. Previously, a high record of 32.8 degrees Celsius was set in 1922, and the same temperature was recorded in 1944. According to experts, both these heatwaves were caused by a 'heat dome' (an area of high pressure that traps hot air in one place).

Researchers say that this heat dome has become more deadly due to human-induced climate change. The Earth's temperature has increased by about 1.4 degrees Celsius since the industrial era, and according to scientists, this has led to an additional increase of 3 to 4 degrees Celsius in the maximum temperatures recorded in May and June. 

People could not get relief as tropical heat persisted even at night. As most houses in the UK are not built to withstand such heat, people have become vulnerable to prolonged high temperatures. Heat causes great physical stress on the body, especially when the body is dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to keep the body cool. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other fatal emergencies. Infants, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health problems are at high risk. Extreme heat can affect even healthy people, and its early symptoms are not easily recognized, hence it is called a 'silent killer'. When hot air is more humid or damp, as in June, it is difficult for the body to cool down through sweat.

This study used death records from previous years to estimate how many deaths may have occurred in May and June 2026. As this study is based on how badly people were affected by the heat, this estimate may not be entirely accurate. Dr. Clare Barnes, a climate change expert at Imperial College London, said, 'These are large numbers, and we don't want to see so many people die.' She expects that by publishing such estimates, people will become aware and change their behavior the next time a heatwave occurs.

Although experts had estimated many deaths due to heat in 2025, the actual number was less than half of the estimated 3,039. UKHSA stated that the impact was reduced at that time due to health alerts and the efforts of the health care system (NHS).