Nearly 600 people treated over heat wave, as scorchers set to subside

Woman taken to hospital in critical condition after suffering heat stroke; drop in temperatures expected Wednesday

By ToI Staff 4 July 2017, 8:35 pm

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A helicopter evacuates people who suffered from dehydration at the Dead Sea, following a heavy heat wave, on July 3, 2017. (Gershon Elinson/Flash90)

Nearly 600 people have been treated for heat-related ailments over the past three days, the Magen David ambulance service said Tuesday, with a heat wave scorching the country leading to a “dramatic rise” in the number of Israelis seeking medical care.

On Tuesday, a 55-year-old woman was taken in serious condition to Beersheba’s Soroka Medical Center for heat stroke, MDA said.

Hebrew media reports said that she required treatment after running out of water while on a hike near the southern city of Arad.

Another 275 people reported feeling weakness, 256 fainted and 51 were dehydrated, according to the ambulance service.

Although temperatures remained uncomfortably high on Tuesday — topping or approaching the 40 degree Celsius (104°F) mark in many areas — a slight drop was recorded from Monday’s highs and the heat was expected to return to a more manageable level on Wednesday, before continuing to cool off over the course of the week.

People enjoy the beach in Tel Aviv on a warm summer day on July 4, 2017. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

As a result of the recent heat wave, which began on Sunday, Israelis on Monday drove electricity consumption to an yearly high of 12,708 megawatts, which smashed the previous maximum that was set just the day before.

On Sunday, demand had reached 12,438 megawatts. The all-time record in demand was set on September 9, 2015, when the Israel Electric Corporation needed 12,907 megawatts to meet the country’s needs. In 2016, the maximum demand was 12,202 megawatts.

The Education Ministry, which operates various children’s programs throughout summer vacation, issued special instructions due to the heat, notifying families that hikes will only be held in areas it has okayed, and only after receiving approval from the ministry situations room on the morning of the hike, Channel 2 reported. Other activities organized by the ministry will only be held in shaded areas, or under trees and close to a water source and air-conditioned facilities.

MDA issued a plea for parents to take particular care not to leave children behind in cars accidentally — circumstances that have led to a number of deaths in the past.