TRIPOLI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- A severe heatwave has swept across western Libya, with the city of Aziziya, located about 40 km southwest of the capital Tripoli, recording temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius, according to the Libyan National Center of Meteorology.
The weather monitoring station in Aziziya recorded the highest temperature of 50 degrees Celsius in Libya so far this July, based on readings taken by the maximum thermometer inside the meteorological observation shelter, the center said in a statement published on its official page.
Wide areas of western Libya are experiencing a significant rise in temperatures, with readings ranging between 44 and 49 degrees Celsius in several areas due to the influence of a hot air mass, it added.
The heatwave has coincided with increased pressure on the electricity grid, as demand for power rises due to intensive use of air conditioning systems. This has led to scheduled power cuts in several cities, amid challenges facing the electricity sector due to limited generation capacity and increased consumption during the summer season. ■
