People face challenges in summer, while heat is still mild
By Nigar Orujova
Since the beginning of the summer season 26 people in Azerbaijan's capital Baku sought medical aid from the Baku City Ambulance and Emergency Station in connection with sunstrokes, and 11 of them were hospitalized, deputy chief doctor of the station, Ogtay Shahmaliyev, said on July 22.
According to Shahmaliyev, since late April 47 Baku residents applied to the station with insect bites, and 27 of them were hospitalized.
The high temperature causes attacks by snakes and scorpions in Azerbaijan every year. During this period, 14 people were bitten by snakes, and most of them, 13 people, were hospitalized.
According to the Emergency Situations Ministry, currently children bathing in forbidden areas unattended leads to 10 children drowning out of a total of 28 cases registered since June 1.
The drowning cases, especially among children, are alarming. In 2012, 17 people were reported drowned during the last summer season, and 10 people drowned in 2011.
The ministry once more advised citizens not to allow children into banned bathing areas, especially in windy and stormy weather.
The changeable weather conditions are not abnormal in Azerbaijan. Moreover, heat is not expected until August, according to the chief hydrologist of the environment ministry's National Hydrometeorology Department Asif Verdiyev.
Verdiyev said the highest temperature this summer - 40 degrees - was recorded on July 17 in Hajigabul. In July, the highest temperature in Baku was 36.1 degrees, and in Sumgayit 37 degrees, which is a normal temperature range for the summer period in the country.
In recent years, the highest temperature in the country was recorded in 2010 and 2011. The hottest summer was reported in 2000.
In 2010, the highest temperature in Baku reached 40 degrees, and in 2011 residents of the capital city faced 42 degrees heat. In 2010, the maximum temperature in the Central Aran areas was 43-44 degrees, and in 2011 it was 44-45 degrees.
Notwithstanding the fact that more severe heat is to come next month, the rising damage from the hot summer season shows that people should be more careful to their health even now, when the weather is quite mild.