Inside the 'world's hottest country' which becomes deadly 48C oven in summer
As Brits bask in an unusual early September heatwave with temperatures breaching the 32C mark, there is one country where the stifling heat turns the entire landscape into a massive broiling oven.
Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa, sits on the southwestern edge of the sprawling Sahara desert and is one of the central nations locked in equator's torrid zone. The country has year-long averages of 37C, which may not sound that much hotter than the spicy 30.2C that was recorded in Northolt today at 1pm.
But while the UK's heat run is expected to last another couple of days at most, Malians are forced to bare the brunt of the overhead sun all year round. The reason for the 37C being so deadly is not the temperature itself, but the desert-like conditions the sun's rays beam on.
When temperatures exceed 40C, the body begins to shut down (Getty Images)The enormous expanse of grainy sand both absorbs and reflects the sunlight, turning the country into a giant oven. To make matters worse for the Malian people is suffocating low humidity and very little in the way of vegetation.
Venturing out under the grill during the peak afternoon hours of sunlight is advised against, with most locals choosing to remain inside, where there is at least some sanctuary from the heat More than half of the country is located inside the Sahara, which is why the northern regions are hottest. In Timbuktu, the summer highs soar to 45C with an average annual temperature of 86F.
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Timbuktu is on the outer ridges of the desert, with adequate water sources for a city. But people heading further north into the belly of the beast could find themselves trapped under a 48C grill.
The human body cannot survive long in 40C heat. If a person's core body temperature keeps rising over 40C, organs - including the heart - will start to shut down, and if not rectified with shade, rest and electrolytes, the heart will go into cardiac arrest.
But a heart attack is just one part of heat stroke, as sufferers can also experience hallucinations and seizures. Many lose the ability to sweat, compounding the danger, with the skin becoming hot and dry instead.
People in a dusty Mali village in the African Sahel (Getty Images)In the UK, Brits are being warned that temperatures could rise even further this week with the sunny weather likely to peak on Saturday. The UK Health Security Agency has issued an Amber heat alert - covering the whole of England aside from the North East - which runs until 9pm on Sunday.
This balmy weather is being driven by tropical storms pushing a high pressure system over the UK, says the Met Office. As such, air conditioning experts at BOXT have given their top tips on staying cool and keeping safe.
Founder Andy Kerr says: “Hot weather often means days out and socialising for Brits, but it is important to stay safe. Over the past years, ONS data has shown a rise in people who have been seriously affected by heatwaves, with mortality rates rising. While hot weather can be enjoyable, it is important to keep safety in mind throughout any activities. For this reason, we have given our top tips on how to stay safe in a heatwave.”
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