The Turkish Environment Ministry has reported a new national heat record of 50.5 degrees Celsius (122.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southeastern part of the country, surpassing the previous record set in August 2023 at 49.5 degrees Celsius. The high was recorded in Silopi, which is 10 kilometers (6 miles) away from Turkey’s borders with Iraq and Syria.
Turkey is experiencing a severe heat wave that affects much of the eastern Mediterranean region and is expected to last several more days. Across Turkey, 132 weather stations have registered record temperatures for July, which are up to 12 degrees Celsius higher than usual. This has led to a noticeable increase in cases of dehydration, heatstroke, and foodborne illness, according to the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet.
Fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, the heat has also sparked numerous wildfires across the country. A fire broke out near high-rise apartments in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, leading to evacuations. Similarly, fires were reported in the northern provinces of Karabuk, Sakarya, and Bilecik, causing the evacuation of several villages. The situation worsened on July 26, when 13 people died while fighting a fire in Eskisehir province in western Turkey.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged the magnitude of the disaster, stating that 25,000 personnel, 27 planes, 105 helicopters, and 6,000 ground vehicles are engaged in fire-fighting efforts across the country.
The heat wave is not limited to Turkey and has also affected countries like Greece, Cyprus, and Albania. Greece, for instance, requested aid from the European Union to combat wildfires that have sprung up in various regions. The Greek capital, Athens, witnessed one of the worst fires just north of the city, destroying homes and leading to evacuations. The situation was exacerbated by strong winds that fueled the flames and made them harder to control.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-sets-new-record-of-50-5-degrees-as-europe-swelters/a-73426915?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
