High temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in some parts of Serbia might lead to an emergency situation. As Head of Serbia’s Emergency Services Predrag Maric stated for our radio, this will be decided by cities and municipalities over the next ten days. Jelica Tapuskovic has more.
In the same manner that low temperatures affect human body, so do high temperatures that cause fatigue, headaches, irritability, and may lead to collapse. Meteorologists have forecast very high temperatures in the coming days, and some countries in the region have already introduced some kind of a state of emergency because of the heat wave so that citizens could be less exposed to sunlight. Head of Serbia’s Emergency Services Predrag Maric stated that it is up to municipalities and cities in Serbia to decide whether they will introduce a state of emergency if there is disruption of normal community functions. As he explained, the Emergency Services are prepared for such development of the situation and can undertake certain measures to establish a normal life in the affected areas.
"Emergency situation implies specific measures that must be obeyed. In this case, these measures would relate to working hours, delivery of potable water to vulnerable population, potential review of energy situation, and all other measures that would be within responsibilities of Serbia’s Emergency Services. We are prepared for such situations. We have been working on preparations for more than ten days already. We monitor the situation from day to day and we shall act accordingly," Maric explains.
He added that due to the high temperatures there is a fire hazard, especially in the period from 15 to 21 July, when a new heat wave is expected. Therefore, the Emergency Services have already contacted the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations, which will deliver a firefighting aircraft to the regional center for emergency situations in Nis in the next few days to be used in case of need. Maric added that it is necessary to comply with recommendations of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy in terms of working hours, especially when it comes to people working outdoors and enduring the most pressure these days.