News24 | Residents urged to take precautions amid heatwave in Cape Town, West Coast

Capetonians have been warned to take precautions amid hot and “extremely uncomfortable” conditions on Wednesday.

Capetonians have been warned to take precautions amid hot and “extremely uncomfortable” conditions on Wednesday.

In a weather alert, the South African Weather Service warned of heatwaves in parts of the Western Cape, Northern Cape, West Coast and Cape Town interior on Wednesday.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-to-high 30s and the low 40s in certain areas, such as the West Coast, Swellendam, and Hessequa municipalities.

City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson Sonica Lategan urged Capetonians to be mindful of the potential health impacts of a heatwave.

“We remind the public that exposure to heat can cause potential health impacts, so we’d like to urge everyone to please drink plenty of water and use a cold compress or wet cloth to wipe the face and neck when hot, and submerge feet in cold water to help regulate blood flow that will help to cool the body. Seek relief in covered public spaces, such as shopping malls and libraries, wear a wide-brim hat, lightweight, loose clothing and take cool showers or baths and limit outdoor activity to earlier or later in the day,” she said.

Lategan also urged the public to take action at the first sign of a heat-related illness, such as muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, confusion, a fast pulse and high body temperature.

“The conditions that have been forecast can also promote the spread of fires, so we ask that everyone please be vigilant, and report any sign of fire to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700,” Lategan.