TEMPERATURES are bubbling over 40 degrees Celsius and likely to stay that way, at least for the next few days, warned Kyriacos Theophilou, head of the Meteorological Service, yesterday.
The director warned the blistering heat wave, currently soaring at 40 degrees Celsius inland, would continue to rise today and tomorrow, letting off on Thursday and gradually dropping to normal temperatures by the weekend.
Theophilou added that the extreme weather conditions prevailed mainly during the midday hours, between 12 and 4pm, and not all day.
“It’s not during the whole day, for instance, there is no heat wave in the morning. Humidity levels are normal for this time of year, but temperatures are higher than average,” he said.
The director said Cyprus would see a small rise in temperature to 41 degrees today and tomorrow, which should drop back to average temperatures of 35 to 37 degrees by Saturday.
Head of the Emergency Room at Nicosia General Hospital Costas Andoniades noted the longer the heat wave continued the more chances existed of people suffering heat problems.
“We have not had any real problems yet, but if temperatures continue, we will likely see more cases,” he said.
He warned that vulnerable groups had to be extra cautious, including people with chronic health problems, like problems of the heart, kidney or lungs. Also, elderly, small children and infants were more likely to be affected.
The Health Services issued a press release advising people to stay out of the sun and avoid heavy physical activity between 11am and 4pm, wear light clothing and hats, avoid alcohol and heavy foods, stick to fruit juice and vegetables, drink plenty of liquids and stay in cool, shaded areas. Small children and the elderly suffering gastroenteritis should seek medical advice immediately.
People should also look out for the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The former is characterised by weakness, cold skin, headache, dizziness, leg and stomach cramps, quick breathing and palpitations.
Heat stroke is more serious and usually brings on headache, dizziness, flushing, fever over 40 degrees Celsius, difficulty in breathing, confusion, fainting and coma.
If anyone suffers from the above, the first thing to do is move the patient to a cool environment, and replace lost liquid and salts, before seeking medical treatment.
Labour Ministry Inspector Tasoula Kyprianidou said the high temperatures did not warrant stopping work in open spaces during the day.
She explained that the ministry measured the temperature with humidity and wind levels. If a combination of the three led to a result sounding alarm bells, then an announcement would be released and all outside work would have to stop during the ‘danger hours’ of midday.
So far, the readings do not warrant such an announcement, she said.
Meanwhile, the Forestry Department warned that the high temperatures increased the risk of forest fires spreading across the island. The department called on people to be extra cautious near forests.
Anyone spotting a fire near or in a forest should call the number 1407 immediately or contact the nearest emergency services.
