In Basra (Iraq) on Thursday it was +52.6 degrees Celsius, one of the highest temperatures measured in recent years around the world, while in Kuwait it was almost 52 degrees. In eight Iraqi provinces, the activities of various institutions were suspended.

Basra, a city of 1.4 million inhabitants, is the heat pole in Iraq, but the +52.6 C temperature is one of the highest measured there. The air was unfit for breathing also because the minimum temperature did not drop below 36 degrees for two nights in a row.

In the city of Nasiriyah, also in Iraq, it was +51.8 C, and in Kuwait, in Abdal, the maximum reached +51.6 C. Over 51 C was also in Iran: Abadan +51.3 C.

In Iraq, a very poor country, only a small percentage of the population can afford air conditioning. In addition, the power supply network is “grounded” and electricity is cut off for many hours. The discomfort is all the more so because the nights are extremely hot, and the houses do not cool down at all.

The absolute maximum for Iraq is +53.9 C, recorded in July 2016. In Nasiriyah the absolute maximum is 53 degrees and in Baghdad +51.8 C. Also in July 2016 it was +53.9 C in Mitrib, Kuwait.

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