At least five dead in unprecedented heat wave in United States

At least five people have died in unprecedented heat wave affecting northwestern United States, where the National Weather Service (NWS) predicts temperatures of up to 49 degrees Celsius for this Wednesday.

The NWS warning regarding “Excessive heat” that will last until Sunday evening, spreads to Washington and Oregon states and north and center of Idaho.

“Look for air conditioning if possible”. “Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks from your activity. If you are outside, seek shade, ”says the agency in its newsletter this Wednesday.

In St. Paul, 30 miles southwest of Portland, Oregon, a farm worker died last Saturday while helping move pipes. The Oregon Department of Occupational Safety has launched an investigation into Brother Farm, which hires temporary staff, and Ernst Farm and Nursery, in which he died.

In Bremerton, Washington, four people died on Monday as rescue teams struggled to respond to calls from those dehydrated or affected in direct sunlight when temperatures have reached 43C (110F).

The city of Portland opened respite centers for the homelesswhile the heat has softened and cracked the asphalt in the streets.

The Seattle and King County Department of Health in Washington said that about 10% of emergency room visits Monday were for heat-related illnesses.

In addition, the heat wave endangered the country’s agricultural sector and the lives of dozens of native species in the states of California, Oregon and Washington, accustomed to a colder climate at this time of year.

“Record heat exacerbates severe drought conditions the region already finds itself in and particularly affects agriculture, the resources on which it depends, and the biodiversity of the area, with many native species, ”explained Deepti Singh, climate crisis specialist at Washington State University (WSU).

Over 65 sudden deaths in Canada and all-time record high

In Canada, the situation is even more dramatic. Authorities have reported that in the past four days, more than 100 people have died in the western province of British Columbia due to the heat wave.

Medical authorities have also warned that the number will continue to increase as long as the weather conditions remain, with extreme temperatures and high humidity.

In a statement, Lisa Lapointe, director of forensic services for British Columbia, Canada’s Pacific coast, noted that “Since the heat wave began at the end of last week, the medico-legal services have observed a significant increase in deaths. to which extreme heat is believed to have contributed ”.

Lapointe added that normally the death toll in the past four days should have been around 130, but that from June 25 to 28 the death toll was actually 233. “That number will increase as time goes on. as the data continues to be updated, ”added Lapointe.

A police spokesperson for Vancouver, the largest city in British Columbia, said until today it had responded to more than 65 sudden deaths since the heatwave, the scale of which had never been seen in the city, began on Friday.

Police also asked the public to watch your neighbors and relatives, especially the elderly.

“Vancouver has never experienced heat like this and unfortunately dozens of people are dying of it.” Vancouver Police spokesman Sergeant Steve Addison said in a statement.

Monday inside British Columbia has experienced temperatures of up to 47.9 degrees Celsius, far exceeding the previous Canadian record of 46.6 degrees. established over the weekend in the mass area.

Before the onset of the heatwave, the highest temperature reached in Canada was 45 degrees in 1937.

With information from the EFE

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