Tefo Tefo
THE Ministry of Energy and Meteorology has warned Basotho to brace for more high temperatures during the month of January, with the heatwave sweeping across the nation only expected to abate in February.
In a statement issued by Energy and Meteorology Minister Selibe Mochoboroane on Wednesday, the ministry said the persistently high temperatures were expected to continue throughout the month.
The hot weather conditions are a result of El Niño, a periodic climatic phenomenon characterised by inadequate rain in some parts of the world and floods in others.
Under El Niño, parts of South America experience heavy rainfall, while dry conditions prevail in Australia, south-east Asia and southern Africa. El Niño used to occur in varying degrees of severity after every five years, but since the 1990s, has become more frequent due to global warming.
According to experts, El Niño has already helped make 2015 the hottest year on record, and might well do the same for 2016. A heat wave occurs when temperatures, for a particular location, are 5°C or more above the average maximum temperature of the hottest month; for three consecutive days or more.
An unusually strong high pressure system currently dominates the upper levels of the atmosphere, causing a stagnant air mass over much of the country. This has caused temperatures to rise high above the average and prevented cloud and rain from developing.
Lesotho is expected to experience the worst effects of the drought between 20 December 2015 and 20 January 2016.
According to Mr Mochoboroane, the country was expected to continue receiving deficient rainfall, with strong winds dust storms and hailstorms likely to cause damage to property.
He urged the public to continually drink fluids to avoid dehydration.
“The nation is advised to take precautionary measures and protect themselves from heat exhaustion,” Mr Mochoboroane said.
Heat exhaustion is a condition that occurs when the body overheats. It is caused by the failure of the body’s cooling mechanism to maintain a normal core temperature.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include weakness, muscle cramping, heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea and/or vomiting, a rapid pulse, thirst, and clammy skin. The main cause of heat exhaustion is failure of the body’s cooling mechanism, mainly evaporative sweating, to maintain a normal core body temperature, resulting in the body overheating.
“Dehydration and heat illness can occur if people do not replace fluids lost during perspiration. People are therefore, advised to drink lots of water and make sure they stay in good ventilated areas,” he said.
“The elderly, children and those who are sick are most severely affected by these conditions. Children should not be allowed to play outside in high temperatures and should be clothed in light and loose fitting clothes.”
People with heart disease, high blood pressure, lung diseases and on medication for mental illness were also likely to suffer from heat related illnesses.