Heat wave bakes Albania

TIRANA, July 31 – It has been a sizzling week in Albania, where the mercury has pushed up as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104F), promoting authorities issue alerts to vulnerable parts of the population, such as the elderly and children.
The heat wave stems from hot air masses traveling from North Africa, with temperature reaching the highest point this year on Tuesday and staying in the high 30s all week. The Military Meteorological Service says the temperatures could fall by few degrees in the first week of August, but the heatwave is likely to continue.
Medical professionals say people should stay indoors during the day and drink plenty of fluids, with special care given to the old, the very young and those that suffer from chronic illness.
The heatwave is also driving Albanians in droves to the beaches, an cities appear deserted, particularly in the weekends.