Civil Protection and the entire state apparatus are on alert in anticipation of the new heatwave, which is coming from Thursday.

According to the forecasts of the EMY, the winds are falling and the temperatures will reach 44 degrees in some places, while from Monday there will be a small breather with a drop in temperature from the north of the country.

The most difficult days in terms of temperatures will be from Friday to Sundayor, but things are also difficult from today until Wednesday, as the meltemias drop the intensity of the heat, but greatly increase the risk of fires.

As stated in the latest update from the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, according to the updated Emergency Bulletin of Dangerous Weather Phenomena (EDEKF) issued today, Monday, July 17, 2023 by the National Meteorological Service (NMS),

a) today Monday 17-7-2023, tomorrow Tuesday 18-7-2023 and Wednesday 19-7-2023 the areas that will be affected by very high temperatures will be limited to the western parts of the country, while in the east the temperatures will be lower, but the intensity of the heat will be less, mainly because there will be Etisian winds (meltemia) that will reach the Aegean at 7 Beaufort.

b) on Thursday 20-7-2023 the winds will weaken and the temperature will start to rise and

c) in particular from Friday 21-7-2023 until Sunday 23-7-2023 the new heat wave will be felt throughout the country, while on Monday 24-7-2023 and from the north the very high temperatures are expected to subside .

More specifically:

1. From today Monday 17-7-2023 and until Wednesday 19-7-2023 the maximum value of the temperature will reach:

a. in the western mainland 38 to 40 and in places in western Sterea and northwestern Peloponnese 41 degrees Celsius

b. on the Ionian islands 38 to 39 and on Wednesday 40 degrees Celsius

c. in the northern mainland 35 to 37 and on Wednesday 37 to 38 and locally in Thrace 39 degrees Celsius

d. in the eastern continental ones 37 to 39 degrees Celsius and

e. in the islands of the eastern Aegean, the Dodecanese and southern Crete, 36 to 38 degrees Celsius.

2. On Thursday 20-7-2023 the maximum temperature values ​​will reach the continental 40 to 42 and locally 43 degrees Celsius, the Ionian islands 39 to 41 and the Aegean islands 37 to 39 degrees Celsius.

3. From Friday 21-7-2023 until Sunday, a further rise in temperature is predicted in the mainland with maximum values ​​reaching 41 to 43 and in places in the interior of Thessaly and Central Greece 44 degrees Celsius.

From Monday 24-7-2023 the temperature is predicted to drop, mainly in the north, by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.

Citizens can be updated daily on the development of extraordinary weather phenomena in the regular weather reports of EMY and on the website of EMY at the online address www.emy.gr.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) has informed the competent government agencies involved in the service, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, so that they are on increased civil protection readiness, in order to immediately deal with the effects of the prevalence of high temperatures, while recommending that citizens be particularly careful, taking measures to protect themselves from risks arising from the prevalence of high temperatures.

In the areas where high temperatures are expected to prevail, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection draws attention to people belonging to vulnerable groups to be especially careful in the coming days, in order to avoid health problems, such as thermal exhaustion and heatstroke, which may be caused due to of the high temperatures that will prevail.

In particular, according to the guidelines for self-protection against high temperatures, citizens are advised to:

* Stay in cool and shady places away from overcrowding, use air conditioners or fans and avoid heavy physical work in places with high temperature, apnea and high humidity.

* Avoid sunbathing, as well as walking or running under the sun and wear a hat and sunglasses and light-colored clothing made of fabric that allows the skin to aerate and facilitates the evaporation of sweat, avoiding synthetic fabrics.

* Consume light meals with fruits and vegetables, limiting fats and the amount of food.

* Drink plenty of water and fruit juices, avoiding alcoholic beverages.

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 self-protection instructions from high temperatures, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection.