site.btaScorching Heat Empties Skopje Streets

High temperatures have emptied the streets of Skopje. At 8 a.m. on Monday, the mercury in the capital of North Macedonia had already reached 29.2 C, according to the country’s Hydrometeorological Administration. With temperatures in the shade exceeding 42 C by midday, even the city’s shaded cafes are deserted. The extreme heat is expected to continue until the middle of the week.

Authorities have issued several recommendations, including releasing pregnant women and people over the age of 60 from work, allowing remote work where possible, banning outdoor labour, and prohibiting children from being taken outside in kindergartens between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Citizens are advised to stay indoors during these hours. If they must go outside, they are urged to carry water with them. Media outlets have published guidance on first aid for heatstroke, while emergency services report an increase in call-outs.

During the summer holiday season, many residents of Skopje have already headed for Greece’s beaches. Media report daily that the wait time to exit the country at the Bogorodica border crossing into Greece is around 30–40 minutes.

The heatwave in Skopje comes as no surprise. Every year in July and August, temperatures rise to extreme levels. Due to the heightened risk of wildfires, authorities have banned entry into forests during this period.