An extreme heat wave is gripping south-central Algeria's Djelfa Province, posing health risks to locals, especially vulnerable groups like the elderly.
The intense heat, marked by record-high temperatures, has prompted hospitals to urge community members to increase visits to elderly people living alone.
Beyond the elderly, construction workers laboring outdoors in extreme heat are also facing severe challenges.
Sheltering in a shady spot, a construction worker named Hani Ali said that wet fabric scraps were his sole defense against the blistering heat.
"We toil in the scorching heat. Our work is exhausting, and we need breaks, but few pay attention to us. We're so fatigued on extremely hot days. We nearly collapse," he said.
Local authorities have launched emergency measures, including a public awareness campaign on self-monitoring for heat-induced health risks.
"In summer, extreme heat causes numerous health issues, with heatstroke being one of the most common. It involves elevated body temperature, sometimes leading to fainting, dizziness, or excessive sweating," a general practitioner named Madani Fawaz explained.
Additionally, the Algerian Red Crescent has begun distributing water and providing heatwave guidance to residents and travelers.
The hardships endured by local residents don't end here.
Sonelgaz, the state-run electricity and gas utility group in Algeria, has reported a historic peak in electricity demand reaching 19,580 megawatts, placing the national grid under critical strain.
Elderly most vulnerable in Algeria's heatwave
