In brief
Facing an expected El Niño‑related heat wave, Yangon’s regional government has set up more than 600 heat‑relief shelters across 14 districts, supporting over 150,000 people. Hospitals and rural health centers will remain open with staff ready to help during peak heat periods, while the Department of Meteorology warns of irregular rainfall, drought and severe storms.
Myanmar’s Yangon region is preparing more than 600 heat‑relief shelters that can hold over 150,000 people, a move aimed at easing the impact of a strong El Niño heat wave predicted to hit by November and December 2026.
The shelters are spread across 14 districts in Yangon, according to the regional government, and are intended to give residents a safe place to escape the rising temperatures.
At the same time, Yangon’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) has warned that the El Niño event could bring irregular rainfall, higher temperatures, unusual storm activity, drought and other extreme weather conditions during the summer season.
To keep medical care available, the regional authorities have arranged for hospitals, clinics and rural health facilities to remain open during extreme heat periods, with medical personnel on standby to assist when needed.
The initiative reflects growing concerns over the next heat wave, as climate experts note El Niño can produce intense and unpredictable weather patterns that threaten water supplies, power grids and public health in Myanmar’s largest city.
