Using the American heat index formula, the feels-like temperature (meaning the combination of temperature and humidity to estimate what the air feels like to humans) was clocked at 70C in south-west Iran, which is also experiencing a heatwave.

The heatwave has led to an emergency, mandatory four-day holiday in Iraq beginning July 30, during which period the government has urged residents to stay out of the sun and drink plenty of water.

However, for many of the more than 3million Iraqis displaced by violent conflict, that poses a dilemma.

Electricity and water cuts make heatwaves like this even harder to contend with.

Earlier this month in Basra, protesters met with police as they demonstrated for more reliable utilities, resulting in the death of one person.

Iraq had its hottest day in 2011, when 53C was recorded in Nasiriyah.

bbabo.Net