A major danger is looming over the Paris Olympics to be held in July-August this year according to scientists. At this time you cannot expect the weather to suddenly become hot while it is still snowing in Paris. But when the Olympics start after six months, summer will be raging in the European city. There will be extreme temperatures there.
According to a new study, there is a possibility of a terrible heatwave in the Paris Olympics this time according to climate simulations. Due to the effect of El Nino, there is going to be a terrible heatwave. The French capital is expected to face record breaking heat and temperatures during the Olympics.
This research has recently been published in NPJ Climate and Atmospheric Science Journal . In which it has been said that there is a possibility of heatwave in Paris for two weeks during the Olympics. Earlier this had happened in the year 2003. Scientist Pascal Eyou says that the climate has changed a lot over the past 20 years.
Pascal said that the purpose of the study was to warn the country's leaders and policy makers that this time the situation could be worse than in 2003. Record breaking extreme temperatures are being seen in every country across the world. Though not an easy task to break the temperature record in the 20th century it is being broken every day.
Apart from this, a study was published in The Lancet Planet Health Journal last year said that in the whole of Europe, Paris has the highest number of deaths due to heatwave. The reason for this is lack of greenery and high density of population. In 2003, 15 thousand people died due to the heat. This time the situation may worsen. The elderly are the ones most at risk.
Paris has faced very hot weather in the last five years. The record maximum temperature in Paris was 42.6 degrees Celsius in July 2019. This year the Olympics will probably run between July 26 and August 11. Paralympics will start by the end of August. The temperatures are expected to have terrible effect on the players.
An Olympics spokesperson said that heatwaves and extreme weather events could impair performance at the Olympics. Hence, reparations are also underway to convert some outdoor shells into indoor ones. This is so that the players and spectators can be protected from the mid-afternoon heat.
Marathon, tennis and beach volleyball may be affected due to sunlight and intense heat in the Olympics. The players have the capacity to bear it but the spectators watching the game might not. The condition of spectators in open areas may worsen. Nicolas Ferrand, head of the French agency that builds Olympic venues i.e. stadiums etc., has assured the Parliament that all indoor facilities will be made in accordance with the increasing heat.
First, the players' quarter were to be built without air conditioning. But now AC is being installed in all the rooms. Shades are also being placed. Trees and plants are being planted. Arrangements for proper ventilation are being made. Also, arrangements for natural-geo thermal cooling system are being made, so that the players do not face any kind of problem.
Last time, Tokyo Olympics was considered to be the hottest event. When the temperature was above 30 degrees Celsius along with 80 percent humidity. Marathon and race events in Tokyo were shifted to a cooler place. Despite this, the condition of the players there had deteriorated due to the heat. Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev had said in the court that it is so hot here that he might die.
Therefore, at present many players are training in hotter places in hot-weather training, so that they can be ready to play in the extreme temperatures.