Fire warning sounded - Tourists traveling to Greece and Turkey should be mindful of temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees.
A wave of warmth is traveling Eastward across North Africa and the central Mediterranean, causing highs of up to 45 degrees in specific regions of Greece and Turkey from Tuesday to Friday. The temperature's peak is slated for Wednesday and Thursday, after which the heat should relax by the weekend, according to the Greek Meteorological Office.
Several Greek regions may either close schools early at 11:30 or remain shut - this decision will be taken by the respective municipalities. The Labor Ministry, meanwhile, urges employees, both in the public and private sectors, to work from home if possible.
The Turkish Meteorological Office also alerted its populace about this heat wave, with temperatures potentially hitting 45 degrees, especially in western regions. The Turkish authorities encourage their citizens, the elderly, children, and chronically ill in particular, not to venture outdoors between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm.
In Athens, the Greek Red Cross has set up free-water distribution stands in key sites like central Syntagma Square and the Acropolis to quench the thirst of tourists.
To stay cool and safe, the most crucial tips include avoiding the midday heat outdoors, hydrating frequently, shying away from alcohol, consuming light meals, and refraining from outdoor sporting activities. Numerous Greek cities and districts will open air-conditioned public spaces to cater to the homeless, impoverished, and those without air-conditioning at home.
In addition, a heat alert was issued in Beijing and parts of northern China on Tuesday. On the same day, local temperatures could touch 37 degrees, the Beijing Meteorological Bureau warned. Beijing is subjected to the second-highest alert level - orange - until Thursday.
Officials anticipate the high temperatures in northern and eastern China to continue until Friday. Tianjin, neighboring Beijing, and Shandong in the east are particularly afflicted by the heat wave due to the scorching temperatures which may exceed 42 degrees. The region of Shandong currently operates under the red alert level. In southern China, heavy rainfall is forecasted, most notably in the mountainous provinces of Guizhou and Yunnan, which border Myanmar and Laos.
Although excessive summer heat isn't a rare event in China, especially in the dry west and south regions, the country has been experiencing extreme weather conditions and intense temperatures for quite some time. Experts suggest that climate change has a role to play in the escalation of such weather anomalies. Now, China is the world's foremost greenhouse gas emitter.
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The heatwave affecting Greece and Turkey is also affecting Europe, with temperatures potentially reaching record levels in certain regions. China has also issued a heat alert, with Beijing and northern regions expecting temperatures to exceed 37 degrees. This heatwave follows a trend of extreme weather conditions and intense temperatures in China, which experts attribute to climate change.
