On Wednesday, temperatures soared up to 51 degrees Celsius (123.8 Fahrenheit) in Baghdad and as much as 53 degrees Celsius (127.4 Fahrenheit) in Basra. Iraq’s state-run Meteorological Department said on Saturday that it had registered the hottest day so far this year, with maximum temperatures hitting 53.9 degrees Celsius (129.02 Fahrenheit) in the southern city of Basra. Friday’s merciless heat in Basra forced the majority of the residents to almost abandon the streets or to swim in the river. The heat is expected to decline nationwide, but a similarly unforgiving heat wave is expected next month. Mr. Mohammed added that temperatures in Baghdad are expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit).

Source: The Hindu July 23, 2016 09:33 UTC