Latin American country Brazil recorded rare high temperature on Friday, with its largest city Sao Paulo reaching a sweltering 36.2 degrees Celsius, the highest December temperature in the city since records began in 1961.
Residents in Sao Paulo claimed that summer arrived earlier and hotter than in previous years. The extreme heat has made daily commuting and outdoor work increasingly challenging, pushing many to seek relief from the relentless sun.
"Traveling by car is unbearable; the heat makes me dizzy. I have to stay in cool, air-conditioned places as much as possible, or I will be uncomfortable," said Jessica, a resident.
"It's very hot when we are in work uniforms. We suffered a lot because they made us tired more easily, eventually causing headaches and excessive sweating," said Roberto Moreira, a municipal employee working outdoors.
"[The high temperature] makes me very tired. I have to drink much water," said Julio, a deliveryman.
"I live here and I feel it every year -- the weather gets hotter each year, and I'm worried. Electricity bills have increased by at least 60 percent. I almost always have the air conditioning on because I really can't stand the heat," said Fabio Pereira Simao, a local resident.
Several other countries in Latin America are also experiencing a round of heatwave as summer settles in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Brazilian national meteorological authority indicates that temperatures in many parts of southern, central-western, and southeastern Brazil are about five degrees Celsius higher than previous years.
Santiago, the capital of Chile, also recorded a high of 34.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday; furthermore, the Uruguayan meteorological department predicts that the highest temperatures in Montevideo and surrounding areas may soon reach 38 degrees Celsius.
Scorching heatwave grips Brazil
Scorching heatwave grips Brazil
Scorching heatwave grips Brazil
