Shahd Alhamdan Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) has issued an early alert to the people to brace for another dose of hot weather. The early warning system of the PME has sent out a warning that an extreme heat wave is set to sweep down the regions of Makkah and Madinah and citizens and residents should take precautions. Because of the high temperatures on Tuesday — from morning till afternoon — the PME cautioned people in Saudi Arabia to take precautionary measures and not be exposed to the sun directly. The PME said that the weather will be hot, dusty and windy. According to Al-Arabiya English, some of the Arab meteorological centers predicted that this weekend the temperatures in Saudi Arabia and UAE would exceed 114.8 °F (about 46 degree Celsius). As mentioned, in previous Saudi Gazette reports, one of the reasons of heat wave gripping many areas of the Kingdom this summer is due to the sun's position as it stands vertically over the tropics. In Egypt this week, the temepratures hovered around 116°F (about 47 degree C) causing the death of more than 60 people and hospitalization of 66 more. From the beginning of the summer until now around thousands have died in India and Pakistan. And, in Turkey 100 people attempted to escape the high temperature through swimming, but died by drowning. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, a Saudi family physician in a public hospital, Numeer Mustafa Samman, explained that people should take extreme precaution to avoid heat strokes. Such strokes occur when thermoregulation, which is the process that allows the body to uphold its core internal temperature, is overwhelmed by a combination of excessive metabolic production of heat, excessive environmental heat, and insufficient or impaired heat loss, resulting in an abnormally high body temperature. He said that if a person suffers from heat stroke, he/she should cool his/her body by perspiration and evaporation and a visit to the hospital is still a must. “The body temperature must be lowered quickly. The person should be moved to a cool area. Clothes should be removed to promote heat loss through ‘passive cooling'. Active cooling methods should also be used, if possible. The person should have a clod bat, or a hyperthermia vest can be applied. Observing precautions to avoid overheating and dehydration can reduce the risk of heat stroke,” Dr. Samman said. To prevent a person from heatstroke, one should drink large quantity of liquids to replace the loss of water through sweat and they should also wear light clothes, he said. “Wide-brimmed hats in light colors help prevent the sun from warming the head and neck and vents on a hat will help cool the head, as will sweatbands soaked with cool water. Strenuous exercise should be avoided during daylight,” he said.
