Week 10 : Exteme Weather

                 Heatwaves in Turkey

Heatwaves have become a serious issue in Turkey, and it’s something we’re seeing more often with climate change. Summers are getting hotter, and this extreme weather is affecting people’s health, our agriculture, and even the power supply.

Why focus on heatwaves?

Heatwaves happen when the temperature stays extremely high for a long period, usually with lots of humidity. In some parts of Turkey, like the southern and inland regions, it can get over 40°C (104°F). That’s extremely hot and can be dangerous, especially for older people or anyone with health problems.

It’s not just about feeling uncomfortable. Heatwaves have a huge impact on daily life in Turkey. For one, farmers are struggling because the intense heat puts stress on crops, which can lead to lower harvests. The tourism industry, which is super important for Turkey, also takes a hit. People are less likely to visit when the temperatures are unbearable. On top of that, everyone’s blasting their air conditioners, which puts a lot of pressure on the electrical grid and can cause blackouts in some areas.

What's being done about it?

Thankfully, Turkey has a few systems in place to help. The Turkish State Meteorological Service puts out heatwave warnings on TV, the radio, and social media, so people can stay informed. These alerts encourage us to stay inside, drink lots of water, and avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.

Another cool thing some cities are doing is creating more green spaces—like parks and gardens. These help reduce the overall temperature in urban areas, which is known as the “urban heat island effect.” Basically, cities tend to be much hotter than rural areas because of all the buildings and pavement, so having more trees and plants helps cool things down.

Final Thoughts

Climate change making heat waves more frequent and intense, Turkey is focusing on early warnings and making sure cities are better prepared. Public awareness and investing in ways to keep cities cool are going to be key to dealing with this growing hazard.

sources:

Turkish State Meteorological Service - Heatwave Alerts (Provides real-time alerts and weather-related updates)
World Meteorological Organization - Heatwaves and Health 
United Nations Climate Change - Turkey’s National Climate Strategy

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