Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Feb 18, (V7N) - Rio de Janeiro residents and tourists endured scorching temperatures on Monday as the city’s famed pre-Carnival street parties kicked off in full swing. The mercury soared to a record-breaking 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) in the city’s west, marking the highest temperature recorded in Rio since 2014.

The extreme heatwave has overwhelmed the city, with Rio’s health secretary, Daniel Soranz, warning that this could be "the hottest summer in recent years." In January alone, more than 3,000 people sought treatment at municipal emergency services for heat-related illnesses such as sunburns and dehydration—more than double the numbers seen in previous years.

The sweltering conditions forced one of Rio’s leading samba schools to cancel a parade rehearsal on Copacabana beach over the weekend, while residents and tourists flocked to the city’s beaches in search of relief.

Despite the oppressive heat, Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes confirmed that Carnival festivities would not be canceled. The annual event, which draws millions of visitors and is a major economic driver for the city, is set to proceed as planned.

“No one is going to suspend any activity in the city, even in an extreme event,” Paes said on Sunday. However, he urged revelers to take precautions, such as staying hydrated and avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun.

The city has issued a level four heat alert—just one level below the maximum—and opened dozens of cooling and hydration points to help residents and tourists cope with the extreme temperatures.

In Copacabana, doorman Robson Oliveira paused to take a photo of an electronic display showing the temperature at 39 degrees Celsius. “This heat is unbearable,” he told AFP. “I’m not used to it. It’s about time for a little rain to cool off.”

The heatwave has been particularly harsh in Rio’s favelas, where treeless, densely packed neighborhoods of brick and concrete act as urban heat islands. In the Bateau Mouche favela in western Rio, residents resorted to dousing themselves with water to stay cool. An AFP reporter witnessed an elderly man faint due to the extreme heat.

The heatwave is not confined to Rio. The state of São Paulo, located southeast of Rio, is also under alert, with temperatures hovering around 38 degrees Celsius.

Brazil has experienced a surge in extreme weather events in recent years, including floods, droughts, and wildfires, which experts attribute to climate change. The current heatwave underscores the growing challenges posed by global warming, particularly in urban areas.

With no rain forecast in the near future, Rio’s residents and visitors will have to endure the heat as Carnival festivities continue. Meteorologist Raquel Franco of the Rio Alert System noted that the city could be on track for one of the driest Februarys in its history.

As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, Rio’s heatwave serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action to address the climate crisis.

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