**Lakatamia Opens Cooling Centres to Combat Heatwaves**
Lakatamia, Cyprus - In response to the soaring temperatures affecting the region, the Lakatamia municipality has announced the opening of three cooling centres aimed at providing relief to residents during heatwaves. The initiative, revealed on Thursday, is part of the municipality's efforts to "address the effects of the heatwave, to assist and protect the public," according to a statement from local officials.
The designated cooling centres will be situated at the Lakatamia multipurpose centre, the Tseri multipurpose senior services centre, and the Lakatamia town hall café. These locations were chosen to ensure accessibility for residents seeking refuge from the extreme heat.
The cooling centres will operate exclusively on days when heatwave conditions are declared. The operating hours for each centre vary: the Lakatamia multipurpose centre will be open from 7:30 AM to 6 PM, the Tseri multipurpose senior services centre from 9 AM to 6 PM, and the town hall café from 8 AM to 3 PM.
This announcement comes amid a period of intense heat across Cyprus, with a yellow weather warning issued for Thursday. Meteorologists have forecasted that temperatures could soar to as high as 40 degrees Celsius inland, prompting concerns for the health and safety of the public.
The establishment of these cooling centres is a proactive measure to mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. The municipality encourages residents to take advantage of these facilities during periods of extreme heat to ensure their well-being.
As the summer months continue, local authorities are likely to monitor weather conditions closely and provide updates regarding the operation of these cooling centres as necessary.