Nationwide Shutdown as Record-Breaking Heatwave Grips Country
Iran declared a two-day nationwide shutdown in early August due to a heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 123 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas. The government recommended that vulnerable groups stay indoors to avoid heat stroke. The shutdown was also attributed to the strain on the power grid, as the demand for electricity surged with people using air-conditioners. Iran, considered one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, faces challenges such as depleted water supplies, poverty, and poor infrastructure. The global impact of heat waves has been linked to human-induced climate change. Governments and individuals are urged to take action to mitigate the effects of extreme heat and reduce reliance on heat-trapping gas pollution.