Record heat in Waidhofen: Temperatures above 60 degrees threaten seniors!
Record heat in Waidhofen: Temperatures above 60 degrees threaten seniors!
Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Österreich - in Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Lower Austria, the temperatures in June of this year are record high. The city has experienced one of the hottest months since the start of the weather records. A senior pastry master, Karl Piaty, measured temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius at Freisingerberg, which only underlines the extreme heat. The paving of the city center, which was implemented in 2000, plays a central role. It comprises 13,000 square meters and contributes significantly to the storage and radiation of heat. Often it gets over 60 degrees there, which has a devastating effect on the well -being of the residents. "The nightly heat is unbearable," complains Piaty. frisn.de showed in 2015 that the floor in the park bathroom between 58 and 62 degrees Celsius can be reached - an extreme example of the effects of urbanization.
With the heat, however, not only is personal suffering in Waidhofen, but it also entails social and health issues. According to Sebastian Raho from the Verkehrsclub (VCÖ), for example, the city should introduce shorter red phases at traffic lights to protect pedestrians, especially older people. The need for more shadows is also emphasized, because shadows can lower the surface temperature by up to 25 degrees. Raho demands that cities have to be adapted to climate change - by planting trees and the clearing of areas to reduce the excessive heat krone.at
heat load in the population
A survey among the Lower Austrians shows that 45 percent feel the heat as a significant burden. The situation in the Viennese surrounding area is particularly critical, where 53 percent of the population suffer from high temperatures. In the Waldviertel it is at least 31 percent, while in the St. Pölten metropolitan area, wine and Mostviertel, the proportion of residents concerned is 48 percent. It turns out that the urban habitats often transform in gluten stoves, especially in waiting zones in front of pedestrian lights.
The city of Waidhofen has already started to promote cooling islands and more greening in order to counter the temperatures. Examples are the new main square in Amstetten with 70 newly planted trees and the redesign of the promenade in St. Pölten. These measures are urgently needed because city trees are crucial for the microclimate. The aging process of the trees plays an important role in this: older, vital trees donate more shade and absorb CO2 more effectively. The protection of these trees must still be in focus to minimize the negative effects of urban Heat Islands nationalgeographic.de .
seniors in the heat
The seniors are particularly affected by the heat wave, whereupon the Red Cross also indicates. There are tips for cooling: sufficient fluid intake, light food, darkening of the rooms and the correct storage of medication are essential. In addition, the so-called Hitze Buddies of the Red Cross support the older people with information and advice around the heat. In view of all of these challenges, it is clear: The climate change and the associated heat periods present the cities and their inhabitants with a big task. The need for better measures for cooling and greening in urban rooms is obvious - the faster solutions are found here, the better we can secure the quality of life in our cities.| Details | |
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| Ort | Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Österreich |
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