Extreme heat is straining Asia’s food and energy supply.

BANGKOK – A new wave of extreme heat is squeezing Asia’s food and energy systems at the same time, creating a dangerous overlap that experts say will worsen. When temperatures rise, people turn on more air conditioners. That pushes electricity demand up. But the same heat also dries up rivers and reservoirs, cutting hydropower output. Power plants that burn coal or gas also struggle, because they need cool water to function. At the same time, crops suffer. Rice, wheat, and vegetables need steady water. Heat waves reduce yields and raise food prices. Farmers then need more energy to pump groundwater for irrigation, which puts further strain on power grids. This link between food and energy is not new. But extreme heat is making it tighter and more fragile. A shock in one area now triggers a crisis in the other faster than before. In recent months, several Asian nations have seen record temperatures. Power outages have hit industrial zones. Food prices have climbed. Governments are now forced to choose between keeping lights on or keeping food affordable. Experts warn that without better planning, this cycle will repeat. They call for more investment in heat-resistant crops, energy storage, and cross-border power sharing. The message is simple: as the planet warms, Asia’s food and power can no longer be treated as separate issues. They rise and fall together.