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Heat wave over the Ostalb: schools close, barbecues forbidden!
A heat wave in the Ostalbkreis brings temperatures up to 34 °C. Schools respond with heat-free while health warnings are in place.
Heat wave over the Ostalb: schools close, barbecues forbidden!
The heat wave has also reached the Ostalb. With temperatures up to 34 °C, the cities of Aalen, Ellwangen, Schwäbisch Gmünd and Heidenheim are facing a tough challenge. The warnings from the German Weather Service (DWD) leave no doubt that rising temperatures also pose health risks. Older people, children and animals are particularly affected and should exercise particular caution in this extreme heat, as schwaebische-post.de reports.
In view of the current situation, the authorities have reacted: afternoon classes for grades 5 to 10 have been canceled at schools in Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd, while high school graduates are required to take their oral exams. Digital learning options are available and schools are using fans and shaded areas to provide students with a cooler environment.
Barbecue ban and safety instructions
A far-reaching ban on barbecues in public places in Aalen ensures that the risk of forest fires is contained in the persistent heat. Barbecue areas such as the Aalbäumle and the Schillerlinde remain closed because the danger level has already risen to 4. Such measures attempt to ensure general safety.
The appeal to parents and dog owners not to leave children and animals in vehicles is particularly alarming. The temperatures in the car can quickly rise to over 40 °C, which is life-threatening. If overheating is suspected, the police or fire department should be informed as soon as possible.
Health and long-term measures
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) draws attention to the health risks of heat and emphasizes the need for effective heat protection. The threat of increased heat in the coming decades due to climate change means that particularly vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and people with previous illnesses are at risk. The entire population should prepare for the coming heatwaves, as rki.de explains.
Future predictions are also dire: climate change will increase the number of hot days and tropical nights, posing a significant health risk. The Federal Environment Agency emphasizes that heat waves, which include several hot days and tropical nights, are particularly dangerous. It is estimated that several thousand people in Germany already die every year due to the heat, and this trend could increase if effective measures are not taken. It is clear that in the long term our cities will need more trees, brighter facades and drinking fountains to reduce heat pollution, according to umweltbundesamt.de.
The heat wave on the Ostalb is a wake-up call for everyone. It is up to us to take the right steps to effectively address the risks of the coming summers.