The Middle East, already known as one of the hottest places on earth, has just recorded an astounding temperature the past few days. The highest temperature record was at 165 degrees Fahrenheit last Friday in Iran. This has left weather experts completely shocked and worried that the region could be suffering from the most scorching temperature ever experienced by mankind. They also predict that the high temperature may persist at least for the succeeding week.
The dome, which is a kind of high pressure ridge, has prevailed through most of July and has caused an intense heat wave in the Middle East.
The overpowering temperature has caused disruption to daily activities in various parts of the region, and has prompted its residents to find ways on how to deal with the heat.
In Iraq, the government declared a compulsory four-day holiday, which started last Thursday, so that people need not go out. Power generators and air conditioners are put up on sale in the streets and are quickly being sold, making great business for some Iraqis. Some have to resort to buying blocks of ice instead. Other entrepreneurs consider the heat wave a threat to their products, such as those in the pharmaceutical sector. The condition has also been aggravated by the frequent cut in electricity and water, adding to the discomfort of 14 million people who are displaced by violence in the area.
Other Gulf states like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have given migrant laborers midday breaks to give them a few hours of relief.
In Kuwait, most of the activities are done indoors (including car parking) or in air- conditioned places.
In the South, where some have access to the beach, grab the chance to escape to nearby beaches to cool off.
Authorities claim that this year can turn out to be one of the hottest, and the most dangerous as well, as it is just a little less than the highest heat index ever recorded on July 8, 2003 in Saudi Arabia at 81C or 178F.
In May 2015, a heat wave took 750 lives in India. The following month, 1,200 in Pakistan also perished because of a heat wave.
What is quite alarming is the projection by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that parts of the world experiencing heat waves may double up by 2020 and will be four times by 2040.
