Civil Protection Instructions for the upcoming heatwave – What to look out for

Recommendations to the citizens are addressed by General Secretariat for Civil Protection due to the impending heat, and urges them “to be especially careful, taking care to take measures to protect themselves from the dangers arising from the prevalence of high temperatures and from the dangers arising from the occurrence of severe weather phenomena.”

In accordance with Extraordinary Weather Deterioration Bulletin issued today Monday 20 June 2022 by National Meteorological Service (EMY), The temperature will gradually rise in the coming days in our country. In particular, its maximum value is expected to reach 40 to 41 degrees Celsius in places, while the minimum temperatures will not be very high.

In more detail, the maximum temperature value is expected to reach:

A]INSIDE THE CONTINENTAL COUNTRY

• On Wednesday (22-06-2022) at 35 to 37 and in places on the eastern mainland at 38 to 39 degrees Celsius.
• On Thursday (23-06-2022) 36 to 39 degrees and locally in Thessaly, eastern Sterea and central Macedonia 40 to 41 degrees Celsius.
• On Friday (24-06-2022) and Saturday (25-06-2022) the temperature will drop by 2 to 3 degrees and the maximum value will reach the central and southern 37 to 38 degrees, while in the north it will not exceed 34 to 35 degrees Celsius.
• On Sunday (26-06-2022) the temperature is forecast to rise again from the west.

B]IN ISLAND AND COASTAL AREAS

The three days Wednesday – Friday 33 to 35 degrees with the exception of the Cyclades, where it is not expected to exceed 32 degrees Celsius.

On Saturday and Sunday the temperature in the Aegean islands will drop by 2 to 3 degrees, while in the Ionian islands on Sunday it will rise.

C]ESPECIALLY FOR ATTICA

The highest temperatures will be recorded on Wednesday and Thursday and will reach 38 to 39 degrees Celsius, while on the coast it will be 3 to 4 degrees lower.

It is pointed out that on Thursday (23-06-2022) from the afternoon hours in Thrace and Macedonia, strong thunderstorms will occur in places, which will be accompanied by strong winds (storms).

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, has informed competent state services involved, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, in order to be on increased alert for civil protectionin order to deal immediately with the effects of the prevalence of high temperatures and the occurrence of severe weather phenomena.

In areas where high temperatures are predicted, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) draws attention to people belonging to vulnerable groups to be especially careful. in the following days, in order to avoid health problems, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which may be caused due to the high temperatures that will prevail.

In particular, according to the instructions for self-protection from high temperatures, it is recommended to the citizens:

• Stay cool and shady away from crowds, use air conditioners or fans, and avoid strenuous physical work in areas with high temperatures, apnea, and high humidity.
• Avoid sunbathing, such as walking or running in the sun, and wear a hat and sunglasses and light-colored clothing that allows the skin to ventilate and facilitate the evaporation of sweat, avoiding synthetic fabrics.
• Eat light meals with fruits and vegetables, reducing fat and the amount of food.
• Drink plenty of water and fruit juices, avoiding alcohol.
• Special care is recommended for babies and young children, as well as the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases to protect them from high temperatures.

For more information and instructions on self-protection from high temperatures, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr and website of the Ministry of Health.

Also, in areas where the occurrence of heavy rainfall, storms or stormy winds is forecast:

• Insure items that, if swept away by severe weather, could cause damage or injury.
• Make sure that the gutters and gutters of the houses are not blocked and are operating normally.
• Avoid crossing torrents and streams, on foot or by vehicle, during storms and rainfall, but also for several hours after the end of their event
• Avoid field work and activities in the sea and coastal areas during severe weather events (risk of lightning strikes).
• Take immediate precautions during a hailstorm. Take refuge in a building or car and do not leave the safe area until they are sure that the storm is over. Hail can also be very dangerous for animals.
• Avoid passing under large trees, under hanging signs and generally in areas where light objects (eg pots, broken glass, etc.) can come off and fall to the ground (eg under balconies). .
• To faithfully follow the instructions of the locally competent bodies, such as Traffic, etc.
• Avoid touching the plumbing pipes (kitchen, bathroom) as they are good conductors of electricity.

If you are in the car

• Immobilize it on the side of the road and away from trees that may fall on it.
• Stay inside and turn on the stop lights (emergency lights) until the storm stops.
• Close the windows and do not touch metal objects.
• Avoid flooded roads.

If you are outdoors

• Take refuge in a building or in a car, otherwise sit immediately on the ground without lying down.
• Protect yourself under solid low tree branches in case you are in a forest.
• Never take refuge under a tall tree in the open.
• Avoid low ground for the risk of flooding.
• Do not stand next to pylons, power lines, telephone lines and fences.
• Do not approach metal objects (eg cars, bicycles, camping gear, etc.).
• Stay away from rivers, lakes or other bodies of water.
• If you are in the sea go out immediately.
• If you are isolated on a flat surface and feel your hair stand up (indicating that lightning will soon occur), do a deep seat with your head between your legs (to minimize your body surface and contact with the ground ) throwing the metal objects you have on you.

For more information and instructions for self-protection from severe weather conditions, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr.

For information and announcements regarding the prevailing situation and the passability of the road network due to the inflow of flood waters in it, the citizens can visit the website of EL.AS. www.astynomia.gr.

For more information and instructions for self-protection from severe weather conditions, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr.

Citizens can be informed daily about the development of exceptional weather phenomena in the regular weather reports of EMY and on the website of EMY at the electronic address www.emy.gr.

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, has informed the competent state services involved, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, in order to be on increased alert for civil protection, in order to deal immediately with the effects of high temperatures and severe weather.