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A heatwave originating from Basra is expected to bring extreme weather to Türkiye, with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) warning that temperatures in the city could climb as high as 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) between Wednesday and Friday.
The intense heat is anticipated to coincide with strong northerly winds and low humidity, creating conditions that significantly elevate the risk of forest fires across the region.
In a recent public statement, AKOM emphasized that the combination of these factors—high temperatures, dry air, and gusty winds—could lead to hazardous situations, particularly in forested areas.
The agency urged the public to exercise utmost caution to prevent any incidents that could trigger wildfires.
According to AKOM, the midweek period—especially Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday—will present a heightened risk of forest fires. This is due to the presence of hot, dry air masses and strong northern winds, which can quickly spread flames if a fire is ignited.
Officials underlined the importance of public awareness and responsibility during this time, calling on residents and visitors to remain vigilant.
“The days when high temperatures, low relative humidity, and strong northerly winds will be dominant are considered to pose a high risk for forest fires,” AKOM noted, adding that it is “extremely important for citizens to be very careful and sensitive against fires.”
Beyond the fire hazard, AKOM also highlighted the health dangers posed by the coming heatwave. The agency warned that the hours between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most direct, will be the riskiest for heat-related illnesses such as sunstroke.
The alert specifically called attention to vulnerable groups, including elderly individuals, children, pregnant women, and people suffering from chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
In particular, coastal areas with relatively high humidity could become even more hazardous during these peak heat hours. AKOM strongly recommended that at-risk individuals avoid direct exposure to sunlight during this critical time window.
AKOM’s meteorological outlook predicts that temperatures across Istanbul will range from 34 degrees Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) throughout the duration of the heatwave.
This marks a noticeable spike from seasonal norms and comes as part of a broader weather pattern affecting not only Istanbul but also large parts of Türkiye’s southern and eastern regions.
The agency linked the upcoming rise in temperatures to a heat dome driven by atmospheric conditions over the Middle East, particularly the Basra region, which frequently influences summer weather patterns in Türkiye.
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