26 Oct 2016

With temperatures soaring around 40 degrees celsius, the country is continuing to experience one of the hottest summers.

A Bobonong resident, Ms Lorato Toteng, said in an interview that high temperatures were irritating to her skin and causing dizziness.

She said she has resorted to desperate measures of protecting herself from powerful sunrays such as using newspaper to cover herself.

Ms Toteng said too much heat was taking away her drive and motivation to work.

A taxi operator in Bobonong, Mr Motshegetsi Mathape said  due to high temperatures last week, they lost business particularly on Sunday as most people were avoiding their movements preferring to stay home to avoid the scorching heat.

He also said other taxi drivers took refuge under shades far away from their taxis.

According to health experts, prolonged exposure to physical exertion in high temperatures could cause heatstroke.

It stated that untreated heatstroke can quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles.

It further stated that symptoms of heatstroke included confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, seizures and even coma.

“Breathing can also get compromised and may become rapid and shallow”, reads the website from www.mayoclinic.org.

The website advised that when people  experience  heatstroke they must get into shade or indoors, remove excess clothing and cool with whatever means available.

According to Ms Tshepho Mokhutshwane, health promotion and education officer at Bobonong District Health Management Team,  heat wave caused dehydration, intense thirst, head ache, pale skin, dizziness, muscle pains and cramps because too much heat drains the body of fluids which the body needs for proper functioning.

She said as the heat wave worsens, conditions of people living with diabetes and high blood pressure could cause some to lose consciousness.

To avoid exposure to excessive heat Ms Mokhutshwane said people should cover their heads and not to wear tight clothes.

She also said people should stay outdoors under shades as most houses are not well ventilated. ENDS