A prolonged heat wave is expected in Ukraine in early August, which could significantly increase the strain on both people’s health and the country’s power grid.
According to the Ministry of Energy, rising temperatures as early as next week could increase electricity consumption by approximately 1 GW. The ministry is preparing to boost domestic power generation and electricity imports, has adjusted maintenance schedules at power plants, and is considering implementing power restrictions for industry and businesses. Consumers are asked to use electricity sparingly during peak hours from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
According to the latest forecast, the most intense heat is expected from August 1 through August 5. In Uzhhorod, temperatures may reach 36–38 degrees; in Lviv, 34–36 degrees; in Vinnytsia, around 36 degrees; and in Kyiv, up to 35 degrees.
In Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv, temperatures are forecast to be mostly 32–34 degrees during the first half of the week. In Odesa and the surrounding region, temperatures will rise gradually and may reach 32–34 degrees by August 4–5. Forecasts may still be adjusted, especially given the possibility of localized thunderstorms.
How to Prepare Your Home
Before the hottest days begin, it is recommended to check that your air conditioner, refrigerator, ventilation system, and chargers are working properly. You should charge portable chargers, flashlights, and other backup power sources in advance, as localized emergency power outages are possible when the load on the grid increases.
During the day, it’s best to keep windows, curtains, and blinds closed, especially on the sunny side. It is more effective to ventilate rooms at night and early in the morning, when the outside air is cooler. The WHO recommends, whenever possible, keeping the temperature in living spaces below 32 degrees during the day and 24 degrees at night, especially if there are elderly people, young children, or people with chronic illnesses in the home.
Air conditioning should be used with windows and doors closed, without creating too great a difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. During the hottest hours of the day, it is best to stay in the coolest room; if air conditioning is not available, spend two to three hours in a shopping center, library, government building, or other accessible air-conditioned facility.
Residents of private homes are advised to fill containers with non-potable water in advance, check pumps and irrigation systems, but avoid stockpiling excessive amounts of drinking water. It is sufficient to have a reserve in case of short-term outages.
How to Reduce the Load on the Power Grid
The main peak in electricity consumption is expected between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. During this time, it is advisable not to run the air conditioner, washing machine, water heater, electric stove, dishwasher, and other high-power appliances simultaneously. It is better to postpone laundry, water heating, and charging electronic devices until the morning, daytime, or night.
You can turn on the air conditioner in advance, before the evening peak, and then maintain a moderate temperature.
Closed curtains, exterior blinds, and early-morning ventilation help reduce the heating of the room and shorten the operating time of cooling equipment.
Open the refrigerator less frequently and avoid placing hot food inside. In the event of a possible power outage, a closed refrigerator will maintain a safe temperature for longer.
How to Protect Your Health
The Ukrainian Ministry of Health recommends avoiding direct sunlight and strenuous physical activity during the hottest hours of the day—approximately from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is best to schedule walks, workouts, construction work, and gardening for early morning or evening.
You should drink water regularly in small amounts, without waiting until you feel very thirsty. It’s best to choose water and beverages without sugar or caffeine, and to limit your intake of alcohol, large amounts of coffee, energy drinks, and fatty or heavy foods. People with heart or kidney conditions who have restricted fluid intake should follow their doctor’s recommendations.
When outdoors, it is recommended to wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of natural fabrics, a hat, and sunglasses, and to protect exposed skin with SPF sunscreen. Keep in mind that in direct sunlight, the perceived temperature can be 10–15 degrees higher than in the shade.
Special attention should be given to the elderly, infants, pregnant women, and people with cardiovascular, respiratory, or kidney diseases, as well as diabetes. The WHO notes that heat can worsen the course of chronic diseases and increase the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Relatives and neighbors are advised to check on elderly people living alone every day to ensure they have water, medication, a means of communication, and access to a cool room. Children and pets must not be left in a locked car, even for a few minutes.
How to Prepare Medications and Food
Medications must be stored according to the instructions. Medications that require refrigerated storage should be placed in the refrigerator in advance, or a cooler bag and ice packs should be prepared in case of a power outage. Do not adjust medication dosages on your own during a heat wave.
It’s best to buy perishable foods in small quantities. Meat, fish, dairy products, ready-to-eat meals, and cream-filled pastries require special attention. It’s not recommended to buy food at informal markets or to eat food that has been left unrefrigerated for a long time.
It’s best to prepare meals in the morning or evening to avoid further heating your apartment and increasing energy consumption during the evening peak hours.
When Urgent Help Is Needed
The first signs of heat exhaustion may include weakness, headache, dizziness, nausea, extreme thirst, rapid heartbeat, and muscle cramps.
Confusion, loss of consciousness, a very high body temperature, and hot skin may indicate heatstroke. In this case, you must immediately call emergency medical services, move the person to the shade or a cool room, remove any excess clothing, and begin gently cooling them with damp towels or cool water.
Prolonged heat poses no less of a danger than individual temperature records. Therefore, it is best to prepare your home, medications, a water supply, and energy-saving measures before the start of the hottest period, August 1–5.
