The escalating heatwave that Egypt has witnessed since the beginning of August reached a new peak Sunday, leaving 21 people dead and 66 people hospitalized for heat exhaustion, according to a statement issued Monday by the Egyptian Health Ministry.
The statement said that 15 people died in Cairo, while 50 were hospitalized for heat exhaustion and 29 had been released. Four people died in Marsa Matrouh and two died in Qena. It added that there were no children among the 21 and that they were all elderly people.
Temperatures reached 38 degrees Celsius in Cairo on Sunday, 40 degrees in Ismailia and 39 degrees in Suez, while on the Red Sea, temperatures reached as high as 43 degrees in Sharm El Sheikh ad 44 degrees in Hurghada, with similar temperatures in Upper Egypt.
However, it is the deadly combination of the soaring temperatures and the abnormally high levels of humidity that make the effect of the heatwave even more pronounced.
In addition, many Egyptians spend a lot of time in the street due to work or other commitments, leaving them at a greater risk of developing heat exhaustion.
In its statement, the ministry urged citizens to take necessary precautions, especially the elderly, children and those living with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
The ministry advised people to avoid leaving the house unless necessary, to avoid direct contact with the sun and to remain thoroughly hydrated throughout the day. It also provided instructions on how to manage heatstroke and dehydration.
Heatwaves have been on the rise in Egypt and across the Middle East. In late June, Egypt was struck by a heatwave accompanied by a strong sandstorm that blanketed Cairo.
And before that in May, the country was also hit by a massive unexpected heatwave with temperatures reaching as high as 45 degrees Celsius in Cairo, in addition to a severe sandstorm.