The heatwave has been shattering record after record over the past few days. With thermometers nudging beyond 37 Celsius, electricity consumption soared as air-conditioners battled the heat. Sales of air-conditioners were up 80 per cent compared to the same period last year, DIY store chain Praktiker said. And the volume of calls to the emergency services continues to grow, along with the number of traffic accidents. There has been more than the usual number of drownings, National Ambulance Service reported, as people seek relief from the sweltering heat on beaches and swimming pools.
Records tumbling
On Sunday morning the temperature did not fall below 24.3 Celsius in Budapest, smashing the record minimum of 23.6 degrees registered in 1987.
A/C sales soar, records fall like dominoes
On Monday another record was shattered as the peak temperature hit 37.3 degrees in the capital only to be broken again with 37.4 degrees the following day. And temperatures were not expected to drop until after this weekend. The Hungarian Meteorological Office has forecast continuing heat with the occasional thunderstorm, strong winds and even hailstorms. The level three “code red” heat alert, issued on Sunday by the Chief Medical Officer, has been extended until next Monday.
Unseen since 2007
Hungary has not suffered such an intense and prolonged heatwave since 2007, says Dr Anna Páldy, deputy director of the National Institute of Environmental Health. “There was a considerable excess mortality of more than 1000 people”, Páldy told this newspaper. In the majority of cases people seek help due to dehydration, blood-pressure problems and nausea, she said. The epidemiologist warned against risky behaviour such as intense exercise, failing to dress sensibly and keep cool, and neglecting to consume enough fluid and salt.
Run on air-conditioners
Air-conditioner sales have trebled over the past two weeks and increased by 80 per cent from this same period last year, Praktiker’s marketing chief Krisztina Madari said. Increasing use of cooling units has led to a jump in demand for power. The national grid operator Mavir said consumption peaked at 6,200 megawatts on Monday, the highest so far this year. Every degree above 26 Celcius means an additional 60-100 megawatt of electricity demand, mainly due to air-conditioners, state news agency MTI reported.
Emergency services busy
More than 1,300 ambulance staff worked over last weekend. Pál Györfi, spokesman for the Hungarian Ambulance Service, told The Budapest Times that almost 2000 emergency calls were coming in daily, 10 to 15 per cent higher than usual for this time of year.
Moreover, with people looking to escape the heat in lakes and swimming pools, the number of people who need to be saved from drowning is increasing, Pál Györfi said. On Sunday morning, Hungarian Lifeguard Services reported that an 11-year-old Dutch boy drowned at Révfülöp, on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. His body was found after a 90-minute search by coastguards and a rescue helicopter, state news agency MTI said.
Keeping cool
During a heatwave, taking the necessary precautions is key, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health. Deputy director Dr Anna Páldy tells readers how best to cope with the sweltering weather.
Do
– Increase the intake of cool drinks and compensate the salt loss with mineral water with at least 50 mg/l sodium content or with mildly salted food.
– Keep the surrounding environment cool, with the windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and opened at night when the temperature has dropped.
– Use electric fans, may provide some relief if the temperature is below 35 Celcius. Place a thermometer in the main living room and bedroom to keep checking the temperature.
– Seek shade, apply sunscreen, wear a hat and loose-fitting cotton clothes.
– Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing, or wear a damp cloth on the back of the neck.
Don’t
– Consume a lot of alcohol, caffeine or hot drinks
– Stay out in the sun, especially between 11am and 3 pm
– Engage in endurance sport activities, unless with long breaks and a sufficient fluid and salt supply.
– Leave anyone, especially the elderly and children, in a closed stationary car because the risk of heatstroke is extremely high.
