Heatwave continues to blanket Cyprus (Update)

Soaring temperatures are continuing across Cyprus, with the met office issuing yet another yellow warning for extreme heat until 6pm on Wednesday.

Meanwhile the risk of fires is on red alert, with the forestry department calling on the public to avoid actions that are likely to cause a fire, such as the use of tools or agricultural machinery that produce heat, sparks or flame, such as emery, welding and soldering.

The forestry department also stressed that lighting a fire without permission is prohibited, and is punishable with up to 10 years jail time, a €50,000 fine or both.

The latest weather warning was set to begin at 9pm on Tuesday, with a low of 26 degrees expected inland and 20 in the mountains during the night.

The yellow warning is expected to last until 6pm on Wednesday, making it the ninth warning in the past six days, for temperatures over 40C.

Temperatures on Wednesday are expected to break the 40-degree barrier once again, with a high of 41 expected inland. Mountainous areas can expect temperatures of up to 33 degrees Celsius.

With temperatures remaining high, the risk of heatstroke becomes a point of danger, particularly for the elderly.

State health services organisation (Okypy) spokesman Pambos Charilaou said there were no new admissions on Tuesday but urged vulnerable groups to continue to be cautious.

He said that anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their personal doctor and seek advice.

A total of seven people have been hospitalised in Cyprus with heatstroke since the start of the heatwave, the oldest of whom is 94.

One of the patients, aged 90, died on Sunday at the Nicosia general hospital, while another is currently in intensive care.

Common symptoms of heatstroke include headaches, fatigue or weakness, feeling faint, and difficulty breathing, while others include nausea, vomiting, high fever, diarrhoea, and confusion and loss of orientation.

Hot weather is also impacting the rest of Europe and the rest of the world. Temperatures on the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia reportedly reached as high as 48 degrees, while the Xinjiang region of China saw temperatures reach as high as 52.