10 or more “extremely hot” days await Turkey this season – just in the middle of summer. Everyone, including tourists, was warned about the terrible heat of 50°C. Also, Turkish experts advised on what to do in the event of such weather and what should not be done in the heat in any case, especially to residents of the north who are not used to it.
As the director of the Climate Policy Research Center of Bogazici University, Levent Kurnaz, told the local media, 2023 will be the hottest year that mankind has ever lived. “Most likely, we will break the record for the highest temperature in Turkey. So far we have seen 49.1 degrees, I think we will easily see above 50 degrees. I expect that this year we will have another 10-12 record days,” he announced his forecast for the coming season.
At the same time, other experts note that Turkey will continue to set “records”. “We have a high probability of long periods of high temperatures. The southern half of Turkey in particular is likely to be warmer than average in the long term,” said Murat Türkeş, board member of Bogazici University’s Climate Change and Policy Research and Implementation Center. He added that judging by the whole of Turkey, due to climate change, several “very hot and very dry” years are in store.
Also, the expert separately emphasized that heat waves have a particularly strong effect on patients with cardiovascular diseases, asthma, and circulatory disorders, and pregnant women, the elderly, and children are also at risk. The president of Bingol Health Services, Sefer Ozgen, gave advice for risk groups, including tourists. He urged them not to go outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., avoid wearing synthetic clothes, as well as dark-colored clothes and prefer light-colored natural fabrics, as well as use sunscreen. In addition, the expert urged everyone – and especially all-inclusive tourists – to be moderate in food in such weather, to avoid heavy and fatty food, especially during the day, as well as alcohol and cigarettes. But the consumption of non-alcoholic liquid should be monitored separately – it should be increased.
“Heat stroke, in addition to the obvious loss of consciousness, is indicated by such signs as headache and weakness. In this case, the victim should be moved to a shaded place, apply cold compresses and be sure to drink salted or sweetened water, if possible. Because if the loss of salt and sugar is too great, it can cause irreversible kidney and heart diseases,” the expert added. At the same time, with a high temperature and loss of consciousness, he recommended calling an ambulance urgently.