As heatwave scorches North America, Europe, and Asia, prompting health authorities to issue urgent warnings, the microscope is focusing on Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the region which is also experiencing its own share of extra sunlight.
Residents here have been forced to find whatever means, from installing air-conditioning units to buying more ice cream and fans or taking extra baths to cope.
Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Office pointed to several factors which are contributing to the rising temperatures underscoring that one of the prime causes is climate change.
“When we look at the heat index where we add the element of humidity and wind, we would often times see a heat index exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit and that is when persons would often complain the most when it is humid and it is hot,”
He stated in a state media interview that the best way to mitigate against this is to “Stay in the shade as much as possible, avoid the midday sun and direct sunshine. Stay hydrated as much as possible, air conditioning is highly advisable”.
He also reminded that the month of June was the warmest one since 1988 and that makes it the fourth warmest on record.
“We also noted that we had record high nighttime temperatures that is when we look at the minimum temperature. During the nights of June, they were at record levels we noted that too sea surface temperature around Antigua and the Leeward Islands was the second highest on record for June,” Destin said.
In 2019, the World Health Organisation advised the best way to stay safe during a heatwave was to follow the following steps.
- Move to the coolest room in the home, especially at night.
- If it is not possible to keep your home cool, spend 2-3 hours of the day in a cool place (such as an airconditioned public building).
- Avoid going outside during the hottest time of the day.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity if you can. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 04:00 and 07:00.
- Stay in the shade.
- Do not leave children or animals in parked vehicles.
0 Comments