Iraq
An Iraqi man uses a curbside shower to cool off during a heat wave in the capital Baghdad in June, 2019. Photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s meteorology and seismology organization announced that temperatures are set to reach 50 degrees Celsius, prompting a public holiday on Thursday in several provinces.
“Temperatures will reach above 50 degrees Celsius in central and southern provinces,” Amir Jabri, spokesperson for Iraq’s meteorology department, told Rudaw on Wednesday.
Jabri highlighted the onset of the year's second heatwave, expected to persist for a few days and cautioned against direct exposure to sunlight.
Thursday is a workday in Iraq; however, public offices and most businesses are closed on Friday and Saturday.
According to the organization’s forecasts, eight provinces will experience temperatures of at least 50 degrees Celsius.
During last month’s heatwave, Iraq’s health ministry issued instructions to citizens, advising against going outside and being exposed to direct sunlight, especially from 10 am to 4 pm.
Extreme summer temperatures were recorded across the globe last year, particularly in Iraq, which is the fifth-most vulnerable country to the effects of climate change.
Scorching temperatures are not new in Iraq, particularly in the south where temperatures regularly approach 50 degrees Celsius, coupled with water scarcity, desertification, and reduced rainfall.
However, a lack of access to basic services, such as water and electricity, makes it more difficult for people to cope with the heat.
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