Turkey records its highest-ever temperature

GURSU: A horse gallops past residents and firefighters attempting to extinguish a wildfire in a forested area in the Gursu district of Bursa early on July 27, 2025. – AFP

ANKARA: Turkey has recorded its highest-ever temperature as a blistering heatwave continues to grip the country, the Ministry of Environment announced Saturday. Meteorological data confirmed a reading of 50.5°C in the southeastern district of Silopi, located in Sirnak province near the borders with Iraq and Syria, surpassing the previous national record of 49.5°C registered in August 2023.

In a statement posted on its official account on X (formerly Twitter), the ministry added that 132 weather stations across the country recorded new temperature highs for the month of July. The sweltering conditions have triggered a series of wildfires in several regions, placing immense pressure on emergency services and prompting evacuations. Firefighters have been battling a blaze for four consecutive days in Karabuk province in northern Turkey, with several villages evacuated as flames threatened residential areas. In Eskisehir province, 10 individuals tragically lost their lives on Wednesday while attempting to contain another fire.

With temperatures expected to remain high in the coming days, several municipalities have imposed restrictions on water usage, including in the popular coastal resort town of Cesme near Izmir on the western coast. Neighboring Greece is also facing extreme temperatures and continues to battle wildfires in various regions. In light of the worsening situation, the Kuwaiti Consulate General in Istanbul on Sunday issued an advisory urging Kuwaiti citizens in Bursa province to exercise extreme caution. The consulate called on nationals to avoid areas affected by forest fires or regions in close proximity.

In a statement posted on its social media platforms, the consulate stressed the importance of adhering to the safety instructions issued by local Turkish authorities in Bursa, and urged citizens to remain vigilant. It also provided emergency contact numbers: - Consulate General Emergency Line: +90 530 690 2097. - Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs Emergency Line: +965 159. Forest fires erupted on Saturday evening in the cities of Orhaneli and Gursu in Bursa province, northwestern Turkey, spreading to several residential neighborhoods. — Agencies

- Source from KuwaitTimes.Com