Heatwave hits water, electricity supplies across much of Iran
At least 18 of the country's 31 provinces -- including Tehran -- have been affected by the extreme temperatures, which began on Friday and expected to ease gradually by Thursday, according to meteorological authorities cited by state television.
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Arab News
16 hours ago
- Arab News
Heat wave hits water, electricity supplies across much of Iran
TEHRAN: A severe heat wave sweeping Iran has disrupted water and electricity supplies in much of the country, with reservoir levels falling to their lowest in a century, state media said on Tuesday. Extreme temperatures, which began on Friday, are expected to ease gradually by Thursday. Government offices in at least 15 of Iran's 31 provinces, including the capital Tehran, have been ordered to close on Wednesday in a bid to conserve water and electricity. The measure comes as temperatures in parts of southern and southwestern Iran topped 50 degrees Celsius. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh MoHajjerani said authorities would extend office closures 'if it deems necessary,' while warning of the 'critical situation' in Tehran regarding water supplies. The heat wave has been accompanied by drought, with the capital experiencing its lowest rainfall in 60 years. Water levels in the reservoirs which supply Tehran have fallen to 'their lowest level in a century,' said the Tehran Provincial Water Supply Company, advising people to use a tank and pump to cope with mains disruption. Tehran provincial governor, Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian said the dams are only filled to 14 percent, adding that the capital is going through its fifth year of drought. Many residents reported water supply cuts lasting several hours. 'It's not just the heat — there's also no electricity and no water,' said Moini, a 52-year-old housewife from Tehran. 'Our whole lives have basically fallen apart.' Many Iranian newspapers carried photographs of the low reservoir levels on their front pages on Tuesday.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Tourists and laborers seek respite as Greece and Balkans gripped by heatwave
ATHENS: Laborers were pausing outdoor work and tourists seeking out shade on Tuesday as Greece sweltered under its third heatwave of the summer and soaring temperatures gripped the wider Balkan region, fueling wildfires in Albania. Situated at Europe's southernmost tip, Greece, which attracts dozens of millions of tourists every year, has always had hot and dry summers. But in recent years climate change has led to longer and more severe heatwaves, as well as destructive floods and wildfires. Couriers, food delivery riders and builders in the wider area of the Greek capital Athens and other regions were among those ordered to pause work from midday until 5 p.m., as the mercury was expected to climb as high as 43 degrees Celsius, the labor ministry said. Workers with underlying health issues were advised to work remotely to avoid heat stress. Outside the parliament building in central Athens, a soldier used a towel to wipe the sweat from the face of a presidential guard. Tourists in Athens, one of the most densely populated capitals in Europe sitting on a plain flanked by mountains, sought out air-conditioned restaurants and stores, and some said they were staying inside in the middle of the SHUT Authorities announced that the Acropolis, which sits on a rocky hill offering barely any shade and is Greece's most visited ancient site, would be closed for five hours from midday on Tuesday and Wednesday, a common step when temperatures soar. The heatwave will continue until Sunday, the Greek meteorological service said. Scorching heat also gripped neighboring Bulgaria on Tuesday, with authorities urging businesses to give away water and cut physical labor during high-risk Montenegro, major roads were congested as many rushed to the beaches to find relief from the heat. In Albania, firefighters assisted by four aircraft from Italy and Greece battled two wildfires at a national park in the north and near the southwestern village of Dukat. Last month, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in another severe heatwave that left many dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region. Across the globe, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with temperatures exceeding 1.5 Celsius above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Research published last week showed that the soil surface temperature around Athens rose in some places by as much as 10 degrees Celsius since July 2024 after fires destroyed vegetation.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
Greece brings in emergency heatwave measures for workers
Greece introduced emergency measures on Tuesday to help workers cope with temperatures of up to 43C in a heatwave due to last all week. Cities opened up air-conditioned public rooms and the labor ministry ordered a pause in outdoor work from 12:00 to 5:00 pm (0900 to 1400 GMT) in most of the country, including Athens. National weather service EMY has said the heatwave that began on Monday is not expected to ease before Sunday. Temperatures in the capital and Thessaloniki are forecast to reach 40C on Tuesday, with highs up to 43C in central Greece. The heatwave is expected to peak in Athens on Thursday with temperatures of up to 41C, the agency said.
