HIGH TEMPERATURES CONTINUES

The Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) Climate Service Centre (CSC) says Malawi is among countries in the region that will continue experiencing extreme hot weather conditions in the next five days.

In a statement issued on Monday, Sadc CSC indicates that maximum temperatures reaching the heat wave threshold are expected to be experienced this week.

Reads the statement in part: “Persistent temperatures in the range of 30 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius are expected in the bulk of central Sadc in the next five days.

“Parts of the central Sadc will experience temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius over a consecutive period of three days and occasions where temperatures have a high probability to exceed 40 degrees Celsius, thus reaching the threshold for heat wave alert during the forecast period.”

According to the statement, people in the affected areas are being urged to adhere to all health advisories provided by local institutions to avoid heat-related health problems such as heat stroke, among others.

The statement comes barely a day after the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (MET) issued a similar update that hot weather will continue due to an influx of warm and dry north easterly airflow into the country.

MET director Jolam Nkhokwe in an interview on Monday said so far, the highest recorded temperature was at Lengwe National Park in Chikwawa which hit a record 45 degrees Celsius.

He said: “The records that we had on Sunday indicated we had the highest temperatures at Lengwe in the Lower Shire. Lengwe National Park recorded 45 degrees Celsius. That was the highest so far during this period.

“Of course, there are other places such as Nsanje, Chikwawa and Bangula which also recorded high temperatures at 44 degrees Celsius.”

Nkhokwe, however, said temperatures may drop after Wednesday.

“This is not the first time the country has recorded high temperatures, particularly in the Lower Shire Valley, but the difference is that the temperatures we are experiencing currently are quite extensive, almost cutting across the country,” he said.

As a precautionary measure, Nkhokwe said people should consider drinking a lot of water, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and putting on light clothing, among others.

He warned that people may suffer from heat stroke and get paralyzed, among a number of implications.