RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The temperature in Ribeirão Preto, a city 300 kilometers north of the São Paulo capital, may exceed 45ºC (113ºF) and the city’s population is at risk of death. The information is from the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), which on Monday evening, October 5th, issued a high risk warning for the region. The warning applies until Thursday.
According to the Institute, the main problem caused by high temperatures is hyperthermia, when the external temperature compromises the metabolism of the human body, and also dehydration. To compound matters, there is a chance that the relative humidity will fall below ten percent, a rate considered critical by the World Health Organization.
“Weather phenomena of exceptional intensity are forecast. There is a high probability of great damage and accidents, with risks to physical integrity or even to human life,” said the INMET in a note on the temperature situation in the city.
The INMET also emphasized that people should “keep themselves informed about the expected weather conditions and potential risks and follow instructions and advice from the authorities in all circumstances,” as well as “to adopt emergency measures”.
Recommendations
There is a possibility for the city’s highest temperature ever recorded, at 46ºC, to be topped by the heat wave, according to the area’s authorities. “It will be a warning week due to high temperatures and low humidity. The warning is intended to prevent sun exposure at peak times and keep oneself hydrated,” says Professor Adílton Carneiro of the University of São Paulo, who specializes in meteorology.
According to the São Paulo Civil Defense, the advice is to drink plenty of water, avoid sun exposure (during the hottest times), use sunscreen (even in the shade), humidify the environments and air them well and avoid physical exercise outdoors.
“And don’t forget to offer water to your pets and also to abandoned animals. In terms of local authorities, we recommend interrupting professional activities outdoors during the hottest times,” the institution says in a note.
Source: thathi