Published: 11 April 2023
Last updated: 5 March 2024
Israel has been warned to prepare for extreme heat waves and increasing mortality in a new reference scenario published by the National Emergency Authority.
Israel’s Defence Ministry’s National Emergency Authority has published a first-of-its-kind contingency plan for extreme heat waves resulting from the climate crisis.
In a scenario developed with the Meteorological Service, the authority warns that the summer months may see two severe heat waves per month, lasting three to four days, and reaching temperatures of up to 49 degrees.
During a heat wave, the authority warns, mortality may exceed monthly averages by some 8.5%. The average daily number of hospitalisations due to coronary and vascular ailments during heat waves is also expected to exceed the daily average by at least 10%. The Defence Ministry further warns of disruption to the regular power supply, as peak power consumption is expected to increase by 10% during heat waves. The contingency plans refer to the years 2030-2050.
The Defence Ministry explains that “global warming and climate change have already caused an increase in the frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves observed since the 1950s. This trend will continue with greater intensity in coming decades. Israel, too, has seen an increase in the frequency of heat waves in recent decades.”
According to National Bureau of Statistics data, some 4000 people die in Israel per month, so according to Defence Ministry estimates, each heat wave is expected to cause an additional 340 deaths.
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Israel's Defence Ministry Warns Climate Crisis Will Lead to Marked Rise in Deaths (Haaretz)
