The heat wave that hit Egypt in recent days has pushed temperatures as high as 41 degrees centigrade, prompting many people to skip work and stay at home. The excessive use of air-conditioning, meanwhile, has led to power cuts in several districts of the capital, and shopping malls and commercial centers have suffered low turnouts.
Weather experts predict that the heat wave will continue for several weeks, warning that temperatures could reach as high as 46 degrees centigrade–levels much higher than those seen during the same period last year.
Aktham Abul Ela, head of public relations at the Electricity Ministry, noted that national electricity consumption had risen by 10.5 percent compared to the same period last year.
Climate change expert Sayed Sabry, for his part, expected revenues from agricultural products to decline by as much as 90 percent as a result of the hot weather. “The real threat is if the Nile’s water level recedes due to rain shortages,” he said.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
