An unusually intense spring heat wave is bringing blistering heat to large portions of Pakistan and India, with the potential for monthly records for April to fall this week in some areas.
Why it matters: Millions in this heavily populated region lack access to air conditioning, and could suffer from heat-related illnesses, which can be deadly. In addition, the heat will make outdoor work untenable for portions of the day, slowing construction projects and impacting the economy.
New Mexico's governor signed an emergency declaration for 33 drought-affected counties over the weekend, as dozens of wildfires raged across several U.S. states in the Southwest and Midwest.
The big picture: The blazes have razed tens of thousands of acres and scores of structures over the past week and triggered evacuations over the weekend of some 4,000 homes in New Mexico and Nebraska — where the death of a retired fire chief was confirmed Sunday.
