Government officials are warning people to stay indoors as much as possible as Thailand endures its worst heatwave for 65 years. Animals at Bangkok Zoo are being fed special frozen fruit pops as people are rushing to shopping malls to enjoy the free air-con.

Average peak temperatures in April were above 40 degrees celsius, peaking at 44.3 degrees celsius. The heatwave has fuelled energy consuption prompting health warnings from food-borne diseases as well as the risk of drowning. Both rise in April and May due to the heat and the long school holidays.

Conditions across South-East Asia scientists say, are triggered by El Nino .a warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean which changes weather conditions world-wide. It pushes temperatures up and is the cause of Thailand’s worst drought in two decades.

Thailand’s Department of Disease Control has warned of the dangers of food poisoning and other food-related illnesses that typically increase during hot weather when bacteria thrive on unrefrigerated food.

The Department also urged people to wear sunglasses,large hats and to drink more water. They also warned parents to be vigilant when allowing their children to go swimming as around 90 children a month drown at this time of year.