The thermometers in Athens showed 30 degrees Celsius early on Friday morning. On the weekend and in the days after, temperatures should reach around 40 degrees, according to the Meteorological Office. Civil protection warned that the risk of fire was extremely high because of the drought.
It is dangerous that even at night the temperatures in many places do not fall below 30 degrees – this makes it difficult for residents and holidaymakers to recover from the heat. The meteorologists do not expect a drop to the normal maximum temperatures of around 35 degrees for the next ten days. The islands of the Aegean such as Skopelos, Mykonos, Santorini and Syros as well as the mountainous regions of the mainland are spared from the heat wave because of the sea breezes.
Doctors advised people – especially tourists – to be careful. The long heat wave will put a heavy strain on the body. Alcohol or sugary drinks should not be consumed. “Put on a hat, wear loose, light-colored cotton clothing, drink plenty of water, take lukewarm showers again and again or swim in the sea and eat fruit and vegetables,” a doctor recommended on state radio on Friday. Pedestrians should walk on the shady side of the road whenever possible.
Source: Nachrichten
