If the air conditioning in your office never felt as good as it did in the past three days it is because officially the country was hit by a heatwave.
Since Tuesday, for three days running, temperatures have soared more than five degrees higher than the mean maximum temperature for July, 31.6°C. This is how meteorologists define a heatwave.
Out on the street, the signs were also visible. People walked around with water bottles in hand, sought the shade and hopped from one air-conditioned shop to another unless the locality was hit by a power outage.
Enemalta confirmed the heat created more demand and put its distribution system under stress (see story on page 1) causing power cuts in several localities.
According to Malta International Airport’s meteorological office, the highest temperature yesterday until 3 p.m. was reached at Luqa with the mercury hitting 38.6°C. A day earlier, the temperature hit a maximum of 40.7°C.
The combination of wind, humidity and heat, however, gave the impression that temperatures were as high as 45°C.
This is a major health concern, especially for the elderly, children and people who work outdoors, though a Health Ministry spokesman said no people were admitted to Mater Dei Hospital as a result of the hot weather.
It seems people followed the Health Department’s heat-busting recommendations to drink a lot of water, stay cool and avoid the sun.
But for farmers the hot weather spelt trouble. Joe Galea, president of the Manikata rural cooperative, said the high temperatures damaged the produce.
“Red tomatoes turn white and vegetables such as lettuce have to be watered twice a day,” he said.
Mr Galea said that hot weather accompanied by high humidity levels were normal after the Santa Marija feast in August. “It seems that the sticky September weather has come early this year and this also heightens the risk of plant disease,” he said.
The weather forecast for the next four days shows little sign of improvement. The Met office is forecasting a high of 37°C today, going up by another one degree tomorrow and on Sunday.
Despite the hot weather, the highest temperatures have yet to surpass the blazing 42.7°C reached in July 1988.
How to beat the high temperatures
Dos
• Drink lots of water constantly
• Stay in the coolest rooms in the house
• Close the curtains when possible so the sun’s rays don’t come in
• If the temperature inside is cooler than outside, keep the windows closed
• Use fans and air conditioners
• Walk in the shade
• Put on a hat and light clothes
• Put on sun screen to protect yourself against the sun’s rays
Don’ts
• Do not go out between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Do not drink alcohol
• Do not drink teas or coffees
• Do not have soup for lunch or dinner, indulge in salads instead
In case of overexposure
• In the event of a fainting spell, a person should be moved to the shade and cooled down by fans and water
• In case of emergency, phone 112