A heat wave sweeping across Iran led authorities to reduce operating hours at several facilities on Saturday and mandate the closure of all government and commercial institutions for the following day. Hospitals reported treating over 200 people for heatstroke.
Weather reports indicate that temperatures in Tehran, the capital, ranged from 37°C (98.6°F) to 42°C (about 107°F).
According to state-run IRNA news agency, banks, offices, and public institutions nationwide will close on Sunday to protect public health and conserve energy due to severe temperatures.
Only emergency services and medical facilities will remain operational.
Babak Yektaparast, the emergency department’s representative, reported to the semi-official Mehr news agency that 225 individuals sought medical treatment for heatstroke, and some needed hospitalization.
Mehr news agency also reported Sadegh Ziaian of the National Meteorological Organization stating that temperatures exceeded 45°C (113°F) in ten Iranian provinces on Saturday.
The highest temperature recorded in the past 24 hours was 49.7°C (121°F) in Delgan, a city in Sistan and Baluchistan province near the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Ziaian mentioned that while a temperature decrease is anticipated for Monday, the heat will persist, and “the air will not cool significantly”.
IRNA reported that authorities reduced working hours on Saturday across many provinces due to the intense heat. High temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) have been recorded in Tehran since Friday. Iranian media also advised residents to remain indoors until 5 p.m. local time.
Electricity consumption soared to a record 78,106 megawatts on Tuesday, according to authorities, as the relentless heat continued and people sought ways to stay cool.
On Wednesday, Nournews, associated with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, revealed that Iran’s temperature is rising at twice the rate of the global average.
While global temperatures have risen by over 1 degree compared to historical averages, Iran has seen a 2-degree increase over the past 50 years, according to the report.
Due to rising temperatures, Iran implemented a two-day nationwide holiday last year.
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