Spaniards take shelter in the shade in parks, hitting beaches or sipping refreshments in the face of rising temperatures of 43 degrees Celsius in the country’s second heatwave this year.

Yesterday, the official meteorological office said that the hot summer rays, combined with a flow of hot air coming from North Africa, led to a rise in temperatures. Authorities indicated that the heat wave could continue until July 14.

He added that the highest temperature recorded was 43 degrees Celsius in Nahr el Kabir, near Seville in southern Spain, and in Badajoz in the west.

Meteorological Department spokesman Rubén del Campo told Reuters that temperatures could reach 44 degrees Celsius in Cordoba or Extremadura in the south of the country.

Authorities added: “Temperatures could also reach 42 degrees Celsius in regions (central Spain) such as Castile, León and Galicia (central and western Spain) on Tuesday and Wednesday.”

A representative of the meteorological office advised citizens not to exercise too much, take care of the elderly and drink plenty of water.

According to him, the risk of forest fires increases during the summer.

The Spaniards experienced an early heat wave in June for the first time since 1981, according to the meteorological service.