India experiences widespread heat wave, with temperatures reaching 47.5 degrees Celsius
Geneva, Switzerland:
The UN weather agency warned on Tuesday that COVID-19 would increase the risks of what was to be a record hot summer in the northern hemisphere.
The World Meteorological Organization has urged governments to make plans to keep people safe during heat waves without spreading the new coronavirus.
This year should be “another record heat season in the northern hemisphere,” said WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis Kapp during a virtual briefing in Geneva.
“We are currently living in one of the hottest years on record.
“COVID-19 increases the health risks of hot weather for many people and makes it more difficult to manage it.”
The United Nations agency teamed up with non-governmental organizations on Tuesday to call for more vigorous preparations to keep people safe in hot weather while keeping a lid on the pandemic.
The series of information, which covers topics such as ventilation, vulnerable populations and personal protective equipment, is disseminated “to alert decision makers to help them manage the dual challenge of heat and COVID”, a said Nullis Kapp.
In some places, what would generally be good advice during a heat wave – such as moving to indoor air-conditioned public spaces – goes against public health recommendations due to the coronavirus crisis.
India is currently experiencing a widespread heat wave, with temperatures reaching 47.5 degrees Celsius (117.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in the city of Churu in Rajasthan.
“India is experiencing a heat wave, and it is at the same time that it eases the lockdown measures,” said Nullis Kapp.
“Heat waves are becoming more frequent and more intense due to climate change. This is putting increasing pressure on human health and human health systems,” she added.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
