Blistering temperatures at the US-Mexico border test people’s mettle | Extreme weather

People withered in blistering heat on both sides of the US-Mexico border, where temperatures hit scorching highs this week and many got little relief from the sun.

Victor Hernandez waits for work washing the windows of cars waiting to cross the border to Calexico, California, on 20 July 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. Photograph: Gregory Bull/AP

Maribel Padilla, part of the Brown Bag Coalition, met up with people who are homeless and particularly vulnerable to the heat in Calexico, California, on the border of Mexico, where temperatures hit 113F (45C).

A woman stays in the shade as she sells food and drinks to drivers waiting to cross the border to Calexico, California, on 20 July, in Mexicali, Mexico. She says she only works till about 10am due to the extreme heat, idling cars and hot pavement.
A woman stays in the shade as she sells food and drinks to drivers waiting to cross the border to Calexico, California, on 20 July, in Mexicali, Mexico. She says she only works till about 10am due to the extreme heat, idling cars and hot pavement. Photograph: Gregory Bull/AP

She provided them with cold, wet towels and some refreshments to give them respite. Many placed the towels over the heads to shield themselves and rehydrated from the cool bottles of water.

Pablo Suarez’s shirt is bathed in sweat before 7am as he parks cars and provides security for a downtown cafe in Mexicali, Mexico, on 20 July 2023.
Pablo Suarez’s shirt is bathed in sweat before 7am as he parks cars and provides security for a downtown cafe in Mexicali, Mexico, on 20 July 2023. Photograph: Gregory Bull/AP

Just across the border in Mexicali, Mexico, many plunged into indoor pools for some exercise and cool comfort. An outdoor taekwondo class waited for the sun to set before exerting themselves in the sweltering heat.

Children take part in a taekwondo class after the sun set on a day that saw temperatures beyond 115F, on 19 July 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico.
Children take part in a taekwondo class after the sun set on a day that saw temperatures beyond 115F, on 19 July 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. Photograph: Gregory Bull/AP

But there was little choice for those working outside, who sweated through their clothes in 115F (46C) temperatures. Most others kept away from the outdoors, or stayed in the shade cast by buildings.

Red Cross paramedics wheel a homeless man showing symptoms of heat exhaustion to an ambulance during the ongoing heatwave in Mexicali, Mexico, on 20 July 2023.
Red Cross paramedics wheel a homeless man showing symptoms of heat exhaustion to an ambulance during the ongoing heatwave in Mexicali, Mexico, on 20 July 2023. Photograph: Victor Medina/Reuters

The south-western US has baked in record hot weather over the last week, and more is expected to come, as climate change bolstered by El Niño, a cyclical and natural warming of the Pacific, pushes global temperatures to new highs.

Homero Acevedo sings for tips among the line of cars waiting to cross the border to Calexico, California, on 20 July 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico.
Homero Acevedo sings for tips among the line of cars waiting to cross the border to Calexico, California, on 20 July 2023, in Mexicali, Mexico. Photograph: Gregory Bull/AP

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