In Pictures

Enjoying summer in Europe or keeping cool in South Asia

The pre-monsoon heat in South Asia may see many step indoors to cooler climes as Europe’s summer starts with a punch.

Cooling the camel in Ahmedabad, India. [Amit Dave/REUTERS]

As the Southwest Monsoon arrives, temperatures in India and Pakistan approach dangerous levels and keeping cool is the order of the day.

This year, Ramadan falls during this period and healthy Muslims are required to fast during daylight hours.

Working hours are shortened, but even so this is a significant challenge with temperatures in the 40s celsius.

Meanwhile, the warmth of early summer is being enjoyed in northern Europe. Here the idea is to sunbathe, or swim.

However, pulses of warmth have pushed temperatures into the high 30s in Germany and Poland, to give just two examples.

Generally speaking, hot weather in Europe is a little too humid to be comfortable and at that point, keeping cool comes to the fore, especially in city centres.

On the canal by Nymphenburg Castle in Munich, Germany — In a gondola, on the canal by Nymphenburg Castle in Munich, Germany. Who knew there were gondolas in Germany? [Michael Dalder / REUTERS]

Cooling the cattle in the river Ganga on a 44C day in Allahabad, India. [Jitendra Prakash/Reuters]

A city centre needs fountains. Paris provides. France. — A city centre needs fountains. Paris provides France. [Pascal Rossignol/Reuters

A communal standpipe is a lucky find for this girl. Pakistan is currently in the grip of a severe heatwave with temperatures reported at 53C in the Turbat area of Balochistan. If confirmed, this is a new high temperature recording Pakistan's history. [Nadeem Khawer/EPA]

Deckchairs in Green Park, London. Temperatures of 26C and blue skies gave much of England a glorious weekend. [Carl Court/Getty Images]

A new meaning to the phrase 'watering the horse'. A very humid 38C in Kolkata, India. [Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters]

1955 Cadillac Convertible, currently being restored at the National Museum in Karachi, Pakistan — It's only 41C, not too hot to work on a labour of love. A 1955 Cadillac Convertible is currently being restored at the National Museum in Karachi, Pakistan. [Akhtar Soomro/Reuters]