SUN WORSHIPPERS are in for a treat today with maximum temperatures set to rise above 40 degrees Celsius.
The heatwave is set to affect the whole island with temperatures rising to 41C inland and 36 on the coast, according to the weather service. Individuals hoping to escape to the mountains for some respite will be disappointed as temperatures there are expected to be higher than normal, nestling at 32C.
Coastal areas will be more severely affected as high temperatures will also be accompanied by high humidity levels of 60 per cent. Humidity inland will rest at 30 per cent, the meteorology department added.
Maximum temperatures yesterday were also predicted to exceed 40 degrees but in the end only hit the high 30s. Nevertheless this did nothing to deter people from using their air conditioning units, forcing the Electricity Authority to order two power cuts instead of the usual one.
The EAC issued an announcement assuring consumers the second power cut would only last 45 minutes instead of the usual two and a half hours.
Over the weekend temperatures are set to drop down to between 38 and 39 degrees, although this will likely offer little relief to people out in the midday heat.
In light of the high temperatures the Municipality of Nicosia said it would operate its fully staffed and air-conditioned Service Centre on Saturday and Sunday between 12 noon and 6pm. The Centre is located at the Multifunctional Nicosia Centre at Famagusta Gate on 40 Nikiforou Foka Street, where the old Public Nursing home used to be housed. Contact numbers are: 22797850/ 855 and 99683021.
Meanwhile the Cyprus Social Ecology Movement reiterated the need to protect workers from direct sunlight and called for the revision of legislation.
“The high temperatures in combination with increased humidity over the last few days in Cyprus, brings back the serious issue of the ‘wretched conditions’ of workers in the outdoors in the insufferable heat and temperatures totally unsuitable for the human body,” the movement said.
The CSEM said the law did not include workers exposed to direct sunlight. It said the lack of legislation was a serious deficit which left workers exposed to danger and even jeopardised their lives. It also went on to accuse employers of indifference when it came to offering adequate protection to their employees who were forced to work under heatwave conditions and very high temperatures.
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/temperatures-soar/20110729