Macedonia on Alert As Temperatures Soar

Authorities advise people to take precautions as the country expects a scorching blast of heat in coming days – up to 39 degrees Celsius.It may still be officially only spring, but Macedonia is already roasting under a heatwave with daily temperatures for several days in a row exceeding 37 degrees.

Meteorologists warn that the worst of the heat is yet to come, however.

The heat is expected to peak on Thursday and Friday, although the next ten days in general are expected to be extremely hot.To avoid fatalities, the government has urged people to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun. The Health Ministry especially advises elderly people to stay indoors, and all residents to wear light clothes, hats, and protective glasses.

“In the last couple of days weʼve had more than the usual number of heart attacks and strokes, as well as people collapsing in the heat,” Leposava Boskovska, from the medical emergency centre in Skopje, said.

The national Crisis Management Centre also warns of an increased risk of wildfires that usually sweep the country during the summer.

“We advise all people near forests and vacation areas to practice extreme caution and avoid using flammable materials,” the Centre said.