BOLZANO. The heat doesn’t let up. And it will continue all week, with highs of 34/35 degrees.
We are in the midst of the August heat wave. The Province’s alert bulletin indicated the first red level for Bolzano, Laives, Bronzolo and Vadena yesterday and orange for the rest of the territory. The hottest day is expected throughout Italy for tomorrow, the eve of Ferragosto with 22 cities in red code out of 27 monitored.
Bolzano Emergency Department from 265 to 280 patients per day, increasing number of patients entering the San Maurizio Emergency Department.
Head physician Elena Carion confirms an increase in admissions due, in part, to the heat. «In these weeks the number of patients entering has slightly increased compared to other periods of the year (280 patients on average per day compared to the “normal” 265), but considering that many people from Bolzano are on vacation we are recording an increase in admissions that stands at around 20%. In addition to admissions due to the heat, this percentage also includes
many traumas / accidents due to tourists present in our territory”.
Hot August with tropical nights
Dieter Peterlin, meteorologist for the Province, talks about temperatures that will remain high throughout the week. “It will be a scorching August 15th, with tropical nights, but there will be some thunderstorms. We can hope for isolated precipitations that will allow us to breathe. Then the Saharan subtropical anticyclone will begin to weaken.” In fact, a drop in temperatures of Atlantic origin is expected from next week, the first real
“crack” in the anticyclonic wall.
The alert bulletin at the highest level
South Tyrol is still gripped by the heat. Willigis Gallmetzer, director of the Functional Center Office, says that even today in some municipalities of the province the mercury column will exceed 35 degrees. “Due to the persistence of this situation, the alert bulletin of the Provincial Functional Center has positioned itself at the highest level, red, in the municipalities of Bolzano, Laives, Bronzolo and Vadena, while in the rest of the territory the second level of orange alert remains”. The Province reminds that since an increase in traffic is expected in these days, it is important to adopt some preventive measures. In addition to a light diet and sufficient fluids, during a heat wave the body needs above all rest. “Avoid heavy work or physical effort, especially outdoors and during the hottest hours of the day. It is better to spend the hottest hours from 12 to 17 indoors. A cool bath or shower can help to better tolerate the heat. Those with mobility problems can dab themselves with a wet sponge. During the hottest hours, you should also avoid long car journeys if your car is not equipped with air conditioning. If you do travel, make frequent stops in the shade. Meanwhile, these days, shopping centres and supermarkets are crowded with customers looking for refreshment.
Doctor: Tourists at risk of heat stroke
The elderly, especially those with chronic illnesses (heart disease, diabetes, etc.), are at risk of complications due to increased sensitivity to heat, a reduction in thirst and a
lower efficiency of thermoregulation mechanisms. The same goes for infants and children due to a lower capacity for thermoregulation. Domenico Bossio – family doctor – says that the population has learned the lesson. “But too many tourists are at risk of heat stroke. They must learn to walk around with bottles and a hat.”
2024-08-16 17:00:40