Turkey experienced its hottest July in 55 years, the Turkish Ministry of Environment announced on Saturday.
Record-breaking temperatures were observed at 66 out of 220 weather stations nationwide, with the average temperature rising by 1.9°C compared to previous years, the ministry stated on X.
In late July, a temperature of 50.5°C was recorded in Silopi, southeastern Turkey, marking the highest ever in the country, according to authorities.
Silopi is located in Şırnak province, less than 10 km from the Iraqi and Syrian borders. The previous national record was 49.5°C, measured in August 2023 in Eskisehir province in the west.
Turkey has been facing scorching temperatures for several weeks, leading to multiple large-scale fires in July. Fourteen people lost their lives battling blazes in the western part of the country last month.
Hundreds were evacuated on Friday in the northwestern province of Çanakkale, where the busy Dardanelles Strait was closed to maritime traffic due to two raging fires since midday.
The heatwave has raised concerns about potential water shortages; in the seaside resort of Çeşme near Izmir, both residents and tourists have been without tap water from 23:00 to 6:00 since 25 July.
