Cyprus faces temperatures soaring to 44 degrees Celsius as a prolonged heatwave grips the island, with the Department of Meteorology warning conditions will persist at least until Sunday.
An orange alert for extreme heat takes effect from noon today until 5pm, requiring suspension of heavy outdoor work as services and hospitals remain on standby for heat-related emergencies.
The extreme temperatures are brought to Cyprus by a warm air mass expected to affect the region at least until next Sunday. Following its departure, mercury levels should return to normal, slightly below 40 degrees.
During the warm air mass period, temperatures are expected to exceed 40 degrees, reaching as high as 44.
The orange warning issued by the Department of Meteorology runs from noon until 5pm. Maximum inland temperatures are forecast to reach 43 degrees Celsius, while mountain areas will see 34 degrees. The Department of Meteorology may renew the warning during the day.
Due to the alert, legislation requires suspension of all heavy and moderate outdoor work and delivery operations using two-wheeled vehicles (motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles) or personal mobility devices (scooters, e-scooters), including food delivery, postal services, and other activities.
Meanwhile, all relevant state services, including hospitals, Civil Defence, the Labour Department, Fire Service and the Department of Forests have raised the alarm and are calling on citizens to limit their movements and take protective measures against the heatwave.
Public hospitals, as reported yesterday by philenews, are fully prepared to receive citizens who may develop symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Specifically, Health Insurance Organisation spokesman Charalambos Charilaou emphasised the importance of “paying special attention to elderly people and ensuring everyone cares for their own family members to prevent serious heat stroke symptoms and life-threatening situations”.
People with chronic respiratory conditions, heart patients, diabetics, elderly people, infants, young children and pregnant women are at risk, whilst outdoor work should be avoided by everyone.
Extreme heat conditions have prompted Civil Defence to issue safety recommendations, alongside the Fire Service and Forestry Department, which emphasise that the fire outbreak risk has reached “red” level.
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