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ALFREDO AZCARATE VARELA
THE BAJA POST/EDITOR
FOTO: Pixabay Ybernardi
Thermometers have been measuring very high temperatures, the most harmful heatwave in years, has been striking the Mexicali and San Luis regions mostly and San Felipe too, but with the heat buffer of the sea breeze, it´s been a very harsh Summer here, though, and September 5 the reading was 50.7 degrees Celsius which is about 122.5 Fahrenheit making it the hottest September Fifth in Mexicali.
THIS TEXT INFORMATION SOURCE IS THE METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE of CONAGUA (National Water Commission) which is a MEXICAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INSTANCE
https://smn.conagua.gob.mx/es/
The heatwave that’s been hitting hard on Mexicali and San Luis Sonora is the hottest in years, and this Summer, many records have been broken for a single day top or maximum temperature reading, with the thermometers rising up to 123 Fahrenheit (50.5 Celsius) and with heat sensations that reach near 130 Fahrenheit.
About 40-45 people have died due to heat stroke and many homeless people are living loose on Mexicali streets, they are in danger of perishing victims od dehydration heat stroke or some other illness that may be triggered by the high temperatures that the heatwave has brought over the Mexicali-San Luis region.
According to the Baja California State Secretary, Dr. Adrián Medina Amarillas, there have been about 45 people who have died, while the Coroner’s head Dr. César González Vaca the number is 40, be it as it may the figure is very serious, it is a public health problem that has been addressed by the so-called Epidemiologic Caravan.
This caravan consists of National Guard, Red Cross, Baja California Heath Secretary, Mexican Army, Mexicali PD, Sun Rescue Brigade and other instances ride around the city looking for the homeless in order to give them water, electrolytes some basic medication such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol.
The homeless are invited to check into the Peregrino Sheter but most of them reject the invitation because they are addicted to opiates or meth and in those places, they are searched for drugs which are taken away form them, so they are afraid of getting the so-called “malilla” (withdrawal syndrome) which makes the problem even bigger.
Weather Forecasts predict temperatures will start to lower on September 14 or 15, but one can never tell, by now it is ever so important that people take care of themselves ingesting water, electrolytes and other liquids, staying indoors and go out just in very necessary cases, and it is also recommended to wear light clothes avoiding dark colors, and wear caps or hats.
This has been one of the deadliest and hottest Summers in History for this desertic region, there are just a couple weeks ahead for the temperatures to lower but in the meantime, we need to take care and be aware of the dangerous heat that has been killing people, let us hope it ends soon.
