CAIRO: For the second time in 34 years, Ramadan will fall in the summer this year. With the Muslims holy month to start on Aug. 11, according to the state news agency, fears of a heat wave have been haunting Egyptians all summer Egypt is no stranger to heat, boasting average temperatures between 30°C to 35°C in the summer. But recently, temperatures have been hovering around and exceeding 40°C. The current heat wave is the Indian heat wave that came from the gulf region, but is expected to move east, said Ali Qotb, head of the analysis department at the Egyptian Meteorological Authority. The good news is that the wave is expected to pass in the next couple of days when temperatures will return to normal, said Qotb. The north should experience winds coming from Eastern Europe, while Cairo is expected to have average temperatures of around 36°C with normal humidity levels. Upper Egypt and the Sinai are projected to experience very high temperatures accompanied by high humidity. “It is advised to stay out of the sun, especially between 1pm and 4 pm,” said Qotb. Qotb also urged people to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. The temperatures will also decrease steadily towards the end of the holy month, said Qotb. The Egyptian cabinet has announced that clocks will go back one hour on Aug. 10 at midnight and then one hour forward after Ramadan on Sept. 9. Clocks will then be moved back an hour on Sept. 30 when the annual winter time begins.
