Peng On Tung, a tele-assistance service based in Macao, has been dealing with a daily average of 10 heatstroke cases in recent days amid the latest heatwave, which has seen the city’s mercury soar to 36°C and above.
Speaking to local media outlets, the helpline said that these heatstroke cases were mainly mild ones but nonetheless required an ambulance being dispatched. Most callers reached out for assistance after reporting heat-induced headache or cardiac discomfort.
Peng On Tung manager, Pun Ka Lun advised residents, especially seniors, to take precautionary measures, including checking the weather forecast before heading outdoors, drinking enough water and remaining in the shade.
Meanwhile, local food delivery app Aomi noted that around 500 to 600 of its roughly 2,000 drivers are outdoors during the peak lunchtime period, with some being stricken with heat stroke in recent days during deliveries.
“We’ve partnered with the Macau Federation of Trade Unions to establish rest stations for riders,” said Ng Ka Chong, the manager of Aomi’s Rua da Areia Preta station. “These facilities provide them with water and portable chargers.”
Ng added that drivers who were feeling unwell would have their orders transferred to another deliveryman.
[See more: Typhoon signal no. 1 to be raised ‘early Saturday’ as tropical storm Wipha nears]
In order to deal with the blazing heat, one delivery driver identified by the last name Ho said that he and his colleague would wear cooling sleeves and face masks.
“They don’t help much,” Ho admitted, “but at least you won’t get sunburned.”
Macao issued its first laranja (orange) extreme hot weather alert of the year on 5 July, which saw the temperature hitting 35°C.
Another such warning was issued in recent days after the mercury reached 36°C or higher in various parts of the city, with the Porto Exterior measuring station registering a maximum temperature of 36.3°C on Wednesday.
As well as the recent heatwave, Macao is currently facing heavy showers and thunderstorms and is bracing for Typhoon Wipha, which will come within 800 kilometres of the city by early tomorrow.
The local weather forecaster expects a typhoon signal no. 3 to be issued tomorrow, with the possibility of a higher alert later on should the tropical cyclone draw closer to the Pearl River Delta.
