Heatwave and wildfires across Cyprus by Rob McElwee
Temperatures have soared across Cyprus with the fire services being put on full alert because of wildfires that have been burning out of control for the past week.
On Friday, temperatures peaked at 41.1C (106F) in the capital, Nicosia, with humidity levels rising, making it very uncomfortable for the city dwellers. Around the coasts, temperatures reached 37C (99F).
Temperatures were around 6C above the seasonal average for June, which prompted people to seek shelter in air-conditioned buildings and stay away from the beaches during the hottest part of the day.
The island is in the grip of a severe drought as there has been very little rainfall over the past few years. Dam levels are at a record low and much of the landscape is tinder-dry and parched. Several wildfires have broken out in the forests of the Troodos Mountain range. Six villages including Vasa, Kellaki and Sanida were evacuated as strong winds fanned the blaze out of control. Dozens of firefighters were injured as they brought the blaze under control. Within the past week, over 15 square miles (24 square kilometres) of forests, fruit orchards and vineyards have been scorched.
Last year, another heatwave across the eastern Mediterranean gave rise to wildfires in Cyprus that destroyed around 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) of pine forest, burned property and forced the evacuation of 350 people.
With a hot easterly air flow from the Middle East set to continue, the heatwave is expected to last through much of this coming weekend. Temperatures are likely to return to around normal at the start of next week with humidity levels also easing. Forecasters are concerned, however, that further intense heatwaves are likely to develop during the high summer months of July and August.
