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| The Observatory held a joint news conference with an association for elderly safety |
The Hong Kong Observatory has advised the public to prepare for a very hot summer this year, two days after hoisting the first “very hot weather” warning this year.
HKO Acting Assistant Director Choy Chun-wing said at
a press conference that the extremely hot weather will continue until Friday, especially
during the day. Everyone who ventures out is advised to take adequate
protective measures against the heat.
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Temperatures will continue to hit the 35-degree mark
in the urban areas, while in the New Territories, it could go up to between 36
and 37 degrees.
Choy further explained that because of El Niño
the sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equators of the Pacific
are expected to continue rising. An El Niño event is forecast to develop during
summer and autumn, and could last until the end of the year or early next year.
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As a result of the combined effects of global warming and a stronger
El Nino, Hong Kong is expected to be hotter than normal this year and next
year, with the annual mean temperature rising above normal.
Choy warned there will be a high chance of this year’s
temperatures reaching the ten top warmest years on record.
The Hong Kong public is advised to prepare for the very hot
weather this summer. Those who are vulnerable to heat stroke are particularly advised
to take extra care.
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| Press for details |
Joining the press conference was Maura Wong, chief executive
officer of the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association, who warned that the
elderly are more prone to heat exhaustion and heat stroke during the height of
summer.
She said that a telephone survey conducted by her group last
year showed that nearly one in four
elderly persons reported feeling unwell due to the heat. They reported feeling
dizzy or had difficulty breathing.
Last summer alone, the Association handled more than 7,700 emergency
cases that required hospitalization.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
And just last Tuesday, the Association recorded 1,912
emergency calls, a figure that was eight percent higher than its daily average.
Choy urged the elderly and their carers to take extra precautions against the heat, particularly during the height of summer.
