TEHRAN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The ultraviolet (UV) index in Iran's capital Tehran has reached the level of 12, meaning extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure, the ICANA news agency of the country's parliament reported Friday.
Citizens are recommended to refrain from exposing themselves to direct sunlight from 8:00 to 17:00, ICANA quoted Sommayeh Rafiei, head of the Iranian parliament's environment department, as saying.
According to the World Health Organization, a UV index of above 11 is considered extremely high.
She also advised people to use protective equipment, such as sunscreen, suitable clothes and standard sunglasses, and refrain from going to outdoor swimming pools.
She noted that relevant organizations should instruct people to protect themselves from extreme UV in a timely manner.
On Tuesday, the Iranian government announced that public and private institutions across the country would be closed for two days to mitigate the impact of an unprecedented heatwave on public health.
According to weather forecasts by Iran Meteorological Organization, temperatures in most Iranian provinces rose to close to or above 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures in some cities such as Ahvaz surpassing 50 degrees Celsius. ■
