Southeast Asia is grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, underscoring the escalating impacts of climate change on the region. Despite forecasts predicting relief from the La Niña phenomenon, the cooling effects were minimal, leaving countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam facing soaring temperatures earlier and more intensely than in previous years. Early Onset and Widespread Impact The heatwave commenced unusually early, with Jakarta and Manila experiencing prolonged high temperatures between December 2024 and February 2025. Scientists attribute the severity of these conditions to climate change, noting that approximately 70 out of the 90 days during this period were exacerbated by global warming. In the Philippines, the extreme heat…