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MET urges caution amid heat

The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (MET) has asked the public to take precautionary measures as the country continues to experience extreme hot weather conditions.

A statement signed by MET director Jolam Nkhokwe yesterday stated that with temperatures ranging from 32 to 40 degrees Celsius and 41 to 54 degrees Celsius, the public is prone to developing tiredness as well as heat-stroke, among other extreme hot weather effects.

Heat-stroke is occurs when the body cannot cope with extreme hot weather and cannot cool itself by sweating.

Reads the statement in part: “As the public is experiencing this extreme hot weather conditions due to high temperatures, the public is encouraged to drink plenty of water even if not feeling thirsty and to avoid drinks with caffeine.”

As a precautionary measure, the statement encourages the public to wear loose-fitting and light-coloured clothes, stay indoors and avoid extreme exercises during the hottest part of the day.

In the previous week, the statement indicated that the country was reporting a continuous rise in temperatures as a result of the very hot and sunny conditions.

For instance, the Shire Valley has been experiencing more extreme weather conditions and in particular, Bangula Weather Station in Nsanje District last week recorded the highest temperature at 45 degrees Celsius.

But while the highest temperatures in the Southern Region recorded were between 28 (Mimosa) to 38 degrees Celsius (Mangochi), the Central Region’s recorded ranged from 29 (Dedza) to 34 degrees Celsius (Kasungu and Chitedze).highest temperatures

In the Northern Region, the highest temperatures ranged from 27 (Mzuzu) to 36 degrees Celsius (Nkhata Bay).

According to the statement, the country experiences such extreme hot weather conditions in October and November due to a pre-seasonal heating of the atmosphere which is a requirement to attract weather systems that generate rains in the country.

The statement further states that the extreme hot weather is likely to continue until Thursday this week before it cools down.

“The high temperatures are expected to drop due to a passage of a wave of thunderstorm activities which are expected to quench the souring heat that is being experienced across the country due to the high temperatures,” further reads the statement.

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