ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s meteorology and seismology organization on Friday announced that temperatures are set to reach 50 degrees Celsius in seven provinces the following day. "The weather for tomorrow, Saturday, will generally be clear and hot with some clouds, and light dust rising in the western region during the day," the organization announced on Facebook. The weather pattern is expected to remain largely unchanged through Tuesday. According to the organization’s weather forecasts, seven provinces will experience temperatures of at least 50 degrees Celsius. Iraq’s health ministry issued instructions to citizens on Thursday, advising them against going outside and exposure to direct sunlight “especially during the hottest hours, which are between 10 am and 4 pm.” Extreme summer temperatures were recorded across the globe last year, particularly in Iraq which is the fifth most vulnerable country to the effects of climate change worldwide. Scorching summer temperatures are not new in Iraq, particularly in the south which regularly experiences temperatures around 50 degrees Celsius, coupled with water scarcity, desertification, and reduced rainfall. However, a lack of access to basic services such as water and electricity makes it more difficult for people to cope with the heat. Written by Didar Abdalrahman
