Extreme heat hits Kuwait with temperature topping 50 degrees Celsius

Kuwait was hit by a heat wave on Thursday with the highest temperature exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, according to the Kuwait Meteorological Department.

Data released by the department indicated that the highest temperature in Kuwait on Thursday reached 51 degrees Celsius, approaching the country's record high of 53.5 degrees Celsius.

Government experts have advised citizens to reduce outdoor activities, particularly during high-temperature periods at midday and in the afternoon, avoid direct sunlight, ensure adequate hydration by drinking enough water, and be aware of the dangers of heatstroke and related illnesses.

A duck cools off in an artificial lake on a hot day in Kuwait City, May 26, 2024. /CFP

Construction sites and other industries requiring outdoor work had suspended daytime operations prior to Thursday. The government urged residents to conserve electricity to avert power grid overloads, which could lead to blackouts caused by heightened electricity usage.

Hebah Abbas, a Kuwaiti environmental activist, told Xinhua that the extreme heat in Kuwait might be related to global climate change.

"Kuwait's extreme heat highlights the importance of preparedness and adaptation strategies to protect communities and infrastructure from such extreme events, making global climate action an urgent necessity," she said.

Situated in the Gulf region of the Middle East, Kuwait has a tropical desert climate characterized by intense heat and minimal summer rainfall.