A heatwave has gripped New York City, resulting in high temperatures and humidity, prompting officials to open hundreds of cooling centres across the five boroughs.
Temperatures on the East Coast of the United States are expected to reach 32 degrees Celsius until Wednesday, according to the Xinhua news agency.
People have been advised to stay in cool places as much as possible and to drink plenty of water even if they do not feel thirsty, according to the local emergency management department.
Speaking of the heatwave, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said: “Please do not treat it as business as usual. Don’t go outside any more than you have to, stay hydrated, check on your neighbours, family members.”
According to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, residents can get a spray cap installed at a nearby hydrant by local firefighters for free in order to get a sprinkle of water.
On Tuesday, New York City’s Department of Social Services issued a red alert requiring increased outreach efforts to help people access cooling centres.
On Sunday, the National Weather Service New York issued a heat advisory for northeast New Jersey, New York City, the Lower Hudson Valley, and parts of Connecticut, and on Tuesday, it expanded its heat advisories to include southwest Suffolk County.
Meanwhile, record-breaking heatwaves are scorching the United States’ West Coast, raising global concerns about climate change.
