Heat wave hits Balkans

The first two weeks of August recorded the highest temperatures in the Balkans in 2013. In all cities, it was extremely sunny and temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Today's highest temperature was in Podgorica where it reached 39.8 C, followed by Zagreb and Skopje with 38 C, 37 C in Belgrade, 36 C in Pristina and Sarajevo and 34 C in Novi Pazar. Hydro meteorological Institutes of Balkans for recording high temperatures declared 'red alarm' and appealed to residents to reduce the maximum outdoor living. Beaches in Macedonia, Albania and Croatia were full of people trying to escape the heat. Emergency services in Croatia these days recorded 15 % increase in providing medical care to the people affected by heat. Ministries of health appealed to residents to avoid staying outdoors between 10 am and 5 pm, intake of fluids, eating light food and protection from the sun rays. High temperatures could have serious consequences especially for old people and children. The same weather conditions are expected for Friday. Only on Saturday will the people feel the slight decrease of the temperature as compared to the past days with the possibility of a short rain.