Cyprus swelters under extreme heat and dust

Extreme heat and high dust levels continue to make life uncomfortable in Cyprus with people advised to stay indoors as authorities issue another orange weather alert.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology on Wednesday issued an orange warning for high temperatures which could reach a maximum 43° Celsius in Nicosia.

The warning is valid from 1000 am until 1700 when outdoor work and exercise should be avoided.

The Maximum temperature is expected to be around 43°C inland, around 39°C on the south and east coast and a slightly cooler 32C° over the mountains.

This is the hottest May on record with Cyprus enduring its sixth day of temperatures above 40°C – making it the longest heatwave in May and the driest. Nighttime temperatures are also higher than normal.

The weather is expected to cool down from Friday.

Citizens are advised to be aware that high temperatures can pose a health risk for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and very young.

The public is advised to stay in the shade and drink plenty of fluids.

Adding to the discomfort is high concentrations of dust in the atmosphere and people with breathing problems are advised to stay indoors.

The Department of Labour Inspection advised vulnerable groups to avoid going outside, as the small size of respirable particles in dust may have negative effects on human health.

Employers must take appropriate measures after assessing any risks that their employees may face while working outside.

The latest hourly dust concentrations on Wednesday morning:
Nicosia: 100 μg/m3
Limassol: 93 μg/m3
Larnaca: 83 μg/m3
Paphos: 88 μg/m3
Paralimni: 72 μg/m3
Zygi: 61 μg/m3
Ayia Marina Xyliatou: 73 μg/m3

Dust refers to respirable particulate matter of a diameter smaller than 10 μm (PM10) in the air.

According to legislation, daily average concentrations cannot exceed 50 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter).