Heat pushes Kuwait electricity consumption to a ‘new record’

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‘Extraordinary heat wave requires caution’

KUWAIT CITY, June 12, (Agencies): Kuwait has recorded its highest ever electricity consumption as the temperature reached 50 degrees Celsius and above today, an official at the Ministry of Electricity and Water announced. Kuwait electricity consumption today was at 14,360 megawatts, up 3.5 percent compared with the highest rate registered last year, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Electricity and Water Mohammad Bushehri told KUNA.

The rise in electricity consumption is expected in summer due to rising temperatures which force all people to operate air conditioners in houses and other facilities, he clarified. Bushehri also assured that the record rise does not pose any threat to Kuwait’s power grid as it has an overall capacity of up to 18,000 megawatts.

Though Kuwait’s grid still has surplus, but he advised people to rationalize their consumption. The unprecedented heat in the country continues to increase, as it exceeded 50 degrees before the official start of summer. Summer 2019 in Kuwait will become one of the hottest years. Meanwhile, the official spokesman of the Ministry of Health, Director of the Department of Occupational Health Dr Ahmad Al-Shatti said that Kuwait is currently exposed to extraordinary heat waves that require caution, reports Al-Jarida daily.

Al-Shatti told the daily sun strokes are medically treated as emergencies that may lead to death. He called on different segments of citizens and residents and patients to avoid exposure to direct sun heat especially children, the elderly, pregnant women, persons suffering from non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, lung and kidney infections, as this group requires greater attention than others, as well as those suffering from obesity or excess thinness.

He pointed out that healthy people; especially those working outdoors, have to abide by the legislation and most importantly avoid work from 11 am to 4 pm under direct sunlight. He stressed the importance of preventive measures for all and to ensure intake of adequate quantities of water and fluids, avoid crowded places and low ventilation and avoid walking in the street during the afternoon.

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