OTTAWA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- A destructive "heat dome" is gripping large areas of Canada, triggering persistent extreme heat across the country, while some regions are grappling with torrential rain and severe flooding, local media reported on Wednesday.
Millions of Canadians are currently under heat alerts as the oppressive conditions persist. Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for parts of Ontario, Quebec, the Prairies, and the Northwest Territories, where daytime highs and humidity values have climbed well above seasonal norms.
Ontario remains one of the hardest-hit provinces, with hot and humid conditions lingering over large areas. In southwestern Ontario, communities are facing elevated daytime temperatures and little overnight relief. Residents in eastern Ontario, which is also under the grip of the prolonged heat event, have been urged to limit outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day.
The weather agency has urged residents in affected areas to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours, and regularly check on vulnerable groups, including older adults, young children, and anyone sensitive to extreme temperatures.
Meanwhile, the combination of sweltering heat and unstable atmospheric conditions has heightened the risk of severe thunderstorms and associated secondary disasters in several regions.
In the capital city of Ottawa, Canada Day celebrations were disrupted on Wednesday. Due to heavy storms and localized flooding, afternoon programming, including a highly anticipated flypast by the Snowbirds demonstration team, was canceled.
In contrast to the scorching heat elsewhere, the Parkland region of Manitoba in central Canada was hit by torrential rain earlier this week, causing severe flooding. The city of Dauphin in western Manitoba declared a local state of emergency on Wednesday to cope with the rapidly worsening flood situation. ■