MADRID — Deaths in Spain from warmth stroke and dehydration within the hottest months of 2022 – the most popular yr on file – jumped by 88% in comparison with the identical interval in 2021, the National Statistics Institute stated Tuesday.
The Institute stated 122 folks died of warmth stroke and 233 of dehydration between May and August final yr when temperatures soared in a succession of warmth waves. A complete of 189 folks died from the 2 circumstances in 2021.
The knowledge got here as Spain sizzled in its first official warmth wave of the yr, with the state climate company, AEMET, predicting temperatures to hit 44 levels Celsius (111 levels Fahrenheit) in a lot of the nation throughout a sizzling spell anticipated to final till Thursday.
Officials in southern Spain stated Monday {that a} 47-year-old agricultural employee had died from warmth stroke, the primary on file in Spain this yr.
The climate company famous that warmth waves have change into extra frequent throughout the month of June during the last 12 years.
On Monday, the federal government introduced a brand new division to research and alleviate the consequences of maximum temperatures on human well being.
Ecological Transition Minister Teresa Ribera stated the nation’s rising temperatures put weak populations in danger, and extra work is required to know the right way to put together for longer, hotter summers.
The statistics institute stated the entire variety of deaths within the May-August interval final yr had been 157,580, 21% greater than in 2019, the final comparable yr earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic.
The institute stated extra warmth elevated deaths particularly amongst folks over 75 years of age and with prior well being illnesses corresponding to lung illness, diabetes and hypertension.
Spain has banned outside work in periods of maximum warmth after the dying of a municipal employee in Madrid final summer time and set authorized most and minimal temperatures for workplaces.
Last yr was Spain’s hottest ever, and spring 2023 was additionally declared the most popular on file. The Iberian Peninsula is at the moment the driest territory in Europe as a chronic drought extends into summer time.
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