An intense heatwave has gripped Egypt, forcing residents to adopt coping measures while disrupting work schedules, tourism, and agriculture nationwide. Temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius have driven many Egyptians to seek relief at Red Sea and Mediterranean beaches, where cold drinks and ice cream provide brief respite.

Vacationer Rania described this year's heat as harsher than usual, saying, "Most of our outings start in the afternoon till late at night. I drink a lot of water and cold drinks, try to avoid direct sun."

Despite efforts to avoid the heat, many workers must continue outdoor labor under exhausting conditions. Aly Gamal, a construction worker in Alexandria, said, "We work eight hours a day. It's exhausting. Now we take more breaks than usual to have a drink, tea, water, but we can't take long breaks as we have to finish tasks every day."

Construction companies have adjusted work practices to mitigate heat effects. Mohamed Shokr, a company owner, stated, "Last few years we increased the rest hours during the day, we provide more water, shades and umbrellas to protect them from sun and in many cases we tell them to come to work in the evenings only."

The heatwave has also led to reduced office hours to lower electricity consumption, especially air conditioning use. Economically, the heat has disrupted agriculture, leading to less supply of products, higher food prices, and inflation. Hossam Al-Ghaish, branch manager of Osool Holding for Financial Investments in Alexandria, noted, "This affects low-income earners."

Officials urge citizens to avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours and to stay well-hydrated as the intense heat is expected to continue in the coming days.

Sources