Tourists and labourers seek respite as Greece and Balkans gripped by heatwave
Situated at Europe's southernmost tip, Greece, which attracts dozens of millions of tourists every year, has always had hot and dry summers. But in recent years climate change has led to longer and more severe heatwaves, as well as destructive floods and wildfires.
Couriers, food delivery riders and builders in the wider area of the Greek capital Athens and other regions were among those ordered to pause work from midday until 5 p.m., as the mercury was expected to climb as high as 43 degrees Celsius, the labour ministry said.
Workers with underlying health issues were advised to work remotely to avoid heat stress. Outside the parliament building in central Athens, a soldier used a towel to wipe the sweat from the face of a presidential guard.
Tourists in Athens, one of the most densely populated capitals in Europe sitting on a plain flanked by mountains, sought out air-conditioned restaurants and stores, and some said they were staying inside in the middle of the day.
ACROPOLIS SHUT
Authorities announced that the Acropolis, which sits on a rocky hill offering barely any shade and is Greece's most visited ancient site, would be closed for five hours from midday on Tuesday and Wednesday, a common step when temperatures soar.
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The heatwave will continue until Sunday, the Greek meteorological service said.
Scorching heat also gripped neighboring Bulgaria on Tuesday, with authorities urging businesses to give away water and cut physical labour during high-risk hours.
In Montenegro, major roads were congested as many rushed to the beaches to find relief from the heat. In Albania, firefighters assisted by four aircraft from Italy and Greece battled two wildfires at a national park in the north and near the southwestern village of Dukat.
Last month, large parts of Western Europe sweltered in another severe heatwave that left many dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region.
Across the globe, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with temperatures exceeding 1.5 Celsius above the pre-industrial era for the first time.
Research published last week showed that the soil surface temperature around Athens rose in some places by as much as 10 degrees Celsius since July 2024 after fires destroyed vegetation. REUTERS
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a day ago
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Chongqing residents seek shelter as heatwave hits China's southwest, China News
CHONGQING, China — Temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius have broiled Chongqing, a metropolis in China's southwest known for its fiery hotpot restaurants and cyberpunk cityscape, pushing some locals to cope with the increasingly hot weather in innovative ways. "It's getting hotter and hotter," said Liu Fengying, 60, a local resident. As afternoon temperatures soared on Thursday, Liu avoided the heat by playing card games and sharing snacks with friends among around 100 retirees sheltering in the air-conditioned chill of a subway entrance. "Aside from coming here, there's really no other way to avoid the heat. Last night, even with the AC set to 17 degrees Celsius, it was still hot and wouldn't cool down." Record heat across China has strained its power grid as demand surges to new all-time highs, now in excess of 1.5 billion kilowatts, with records broken four times just in July. After daily peaks exceeding 40 degrees Celsius for a week, Chongqing elevated its heat-wave warning to the highest level — a red alert — on Thursday, with 21 out of its 38 districts forecast to hit up to 43 degrees Celsius. A peak of 44 degrees Celsius is projected for Sunday. Historically, daily peaks in the city of nearly 32 million people have rarely exceeded 39 degrees Celsius in July, which is already very hot by global standards. Since the start of May, the number of days the city recorded temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius this year was double the historic average. But some Chongqingers remain unfazed — for now. Xie, 79, one of dozens of swimmers who gathered at a tributary of the Yangtze as the sun started to set on Thursday, cools down with regular swims in China's longest river. "Chongqing has always been a furnace city, but we have the river to cool down," he said before diving off a two-metre tall river bank in his underwear. On the same night, Qiu Xianhui, 36, came with friends to eat hotpot, Chongqing's famously spicy broth, at a restaurant in one of the city's old bomb shelters, where the air cools naturally. "We're locals, so we're used to 40-plus degree weather. We've seen it all," he said. [[nid:720839]]
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Chongqing residents seek shelter as heatwave hits China's southwest
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox People ride paddle boards on the Jialing River amid a red alert for heat in Chongqing, China July 31, 2025. REUTERS/Go Nakamura CHONGQING, China, August 1 - Temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) have broiled Chongqing, a metropolis in China's southwest known for its fiery hotpot restaurants and cyberpunk cityscape, pushing some locals to cope with the increasingly hot weather in innovative ways. "It's getting hotter and hotter," said Liu Fengying, 60, a local resident. As afternoon temperatures soared on Thursday, Liu avoided the heat by playing card games and sharing snacks with friends among around 100 retirees sheltering in the air-conditioned chill of a subway entrance. "Aside from coming here, there's really no other way to avoid the heat. Last night, even with the AC set to 17 degrees C, it was still hot and wouldn't cool down." Record heat across China has strained its power grid as demand surges to new all-time highs, now in excess of 1.5 billion kilowatts, with records broken four times just in July. After daily peaks exceeding 40 C for a week, Chongqing elevated its heat-wave warning to the highest level - a red alert - on Thursday, with 21 out of its 38 districts forecast to hit up to 43 C. A peak of 44 C is projected for Sunday. Historically, daily peaks in the city of nearly 32 million people have rarely exceeded 39 C in July, which is already very hot by global standards. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump modifies reciprocal tariffs ahead of deadline; rate on Singapore likely to remain at 10% Singapore PM Wong to deliver National Day message on Aug 8 Singapore Data breach involving Cycle & Carriage Singapore customer details under probe Business CAD probing Tokenize Xchange operator; firm's director charged with fraudulent trading Singapore More than $1.7 million lost in scams using fraudulent mobile apps Singapore Man charged over kicking woman's face in Teck Whye Lane flat, leading to her death Life The Projector leaves Cineleisure, returns to Golden Mile Tower Singapore 3 men charged over living on the earnings of prostitution Since the start of May, the number of days the city recorded temperatures exceeding 35 C this year was double the historic average. But some Chongqingers remain unfazed - for now. Xie, 79, one of dozens of swimmers who gathered at a tributary of the Yangtze as the sun started to set on Thursday, cools down with regular swims in China's longest river. "Chongqing has always been a furnace city, but we have the river to cool down," he said before diving off a two-metre tall river bank in his underwear. On the same night, Qiu Xianhui, 36, came with friends to eat hotpot, Chongqing's famously spicy broth, at a restaurant in one of the city's old bomb shelters, where the air cools naturally. "We're locals, so we're used to 40-plus degree weather. We've seen it all," he said. REUTERS
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2 days ago
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Food Picks: SG60 dishes at Korean steak house Gu:um
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – With Singapore celebrating its 60th birthday on Aug 9, the food scene is in overdrive, coming out with all manner of dishes, snacks and drinks for SG60. South Korean chef Louis Han's steak house Gu:um has some delectable offerings that seamlessly blend Korean and Singapore flavours, and three of them stand out. First up is Gochujang Soft Shell Chilli Crab ($32). The sauce looks remarkably like Singapore chilli crab sauce, but is made with gochujang (Korean fermented chilli paste) and three other kinds of heat, including red local chillies. It packs quite a punch. Charred kkwari gochu, which look like shishito peppers, are a thankfully mild garnish. The crustaceans are crusted with sago for extra crunch, and I appreciate not having to get my fingers covered with sauce. The best part of the dish are the three deep-fried tteokbokki. Springy, greaseless and the perfect mops for the pretty spicy sauce. I wish I could have a plate of them. Another excellent starter to order is Mandu Wings ($18 for two), a tribute to Korean dumplings and Singaporeans' love of chicken wings any which way. The fat, juicy wings are stuffed with ground chicken, glass noodles and chives, and then deep-fried. They come with an addictive, chunky tomato and gochujang dip that has a mala kick. To cool down, order Red & White Bingsu ($18). Juicy pomelo bits sit at the bottom of a martini glass, topped with cool yogurt, watermelon and pomegranate vinegar sorbet, and watermelon granita on top. Lime zest adds pep to this endlessly refreshing dessert. My only gripe is that it is difficult to dig into the glass without scattering granita all over the table. Lean in, or rather, dig in, fearlessly. These dishes are on the menu until Aug 31. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia US-Malaysia tariff deal expected after Trump-Anwar phone call on eve of Aug 1 deadline Asia Trump says US will set 15% tariff on South Korean imports under new deal Singapore Driver in 2024 Tampines crash that killed 2 set to plead guilty in October Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Singapore Wegovy and beyond: Will weight-loss drugs change the way people look at obesity? Singapore $10 million Toto results to be announced on July 31, after no winners in last 3 draws Sport Ainslee Kwang, 14, becomes first Singaporean diver to qualify for World Aquatics C'ships semi-finals Business US Fed holds rates steady despite Trump's pressure, with two governors dissenting Where: 29 Keong Saik Road MRT: Maxwell Open: 6 to 11pm (Tuesdays to Thursdays), 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6 to 11pm (Fridays to Sundays), closed on Mondays. Until Aug 9, the restaurant is open from 6 to 11pm on Mondays Info: Call 8831-6308, or go to or
