In Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, people have endured unusually high temperatures due to a heat wave.
On Friday, temperatures were around 30 degrees Celsius, although the intensity of the extreme heat has decreased. Two days ago, city authorities issued an alert warning residents about temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius.
It is the same effect as we have already seen in other areas of the Mediterranean coast during the past week which has brought heat and storms to many cities in southern Europe.
Additionally, the Disaster Coordination Center warned of the increased risk of wildfires due to dry and hot conditions.
The situation is worrying, especially considering that City reservoirs are at alarmingly low levels, with only 29.7% of its capacity. Global warming, caused by greenhouse gas emissions, is affecting water availability and altering weather patterns.
The storms and rains on Friday afternoon are expected to help alleviate this water situation as well as shield these high temperatures in Istanbul.
Türkiye also recorded a record high heat of 49.5°Cand the heat wave spreads to other parts of Europe, including Greece where Athens had to close the Acropolis due to temperatures.
