The South African Weather Service posted this update on their Facebook page:

Although there is nothing inherently wrong with humour in weather communication, given the magnitude of risk that is associated with this event, the use of laugh emojis is particularly jarring.

In the EU so far this summer approximately 20,000 people have died from heat stress. Globally the figure is now estimated to be about 546,000 annually.

Is extreme heat a laughing matter?

Earlier this month the World Food Program estimated that the climate related shocks from this El Niño event could significantly worsen food insecurity in 45 countries!

They are estimating:

• 49 million additional people globally could be pushed into acute food insecurity.
• 18+ million in East and Southern Africa could experience deteriorating food security. The regional increase could be 26%.
• Southern Africa is particularly exposed because of dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

As a result the WFP has already activated anticipatory-action programmes because the impacts are beginning and preparation needs to happen before the worst impacts arrive.

Clearly this is not simply a weather event. If these forecasts materialise, extreme heat, drought, wildfire and associated impacts on water, food and health could cause serious harm and potentially loss of life.

There is a difference between making people aware of the risks and making light of them.

They seriously need to reconsider their communication choice here.

While we are on this, there are comments on this update that are downright misinformation. By not moderating comments, they become complicit in the spread thereof. They need to seriously up their game here too.