Opinion | Hong Kong’s most vulnerable are truly feeling the heat
- As temperatures soar, it is time to check in on acquaintances who are elderly or with medical conditions to ensure their homes are well ventilated and air conditioning is functioning
A high pressure system camped over southern China has smothered Hong Kong in its hottest temperatures of the year and the soaring mercury shows no sign of letting up soon.
The calm, fine weather may signal to many that it is time to hit the beaches or the pool and enjoy the summer weather. It is also time to take precautions and look out for each other, especially our vulnerable elderly population.
Temperatures in nine districts topped 37 degrees Celsius on Monday, and despite intermittent heavy showers the hot weather is forecast for the rest of the week. The Hong Kong Observatory’s “very hot weather warning” has been in force since last Friday.
It is time to check in on acquaintances who are elderly or with medical conditions to ensure their homes are well ventilated and air conditioning is functioning.
More than 1,600 SOS calls have been made to a hotline from elderly people asking for relief, according to the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association.
There have been calls for energy subsidies for residents of cramped subdivided homes, and for care teams to go out to visit high-risk groups.
Relief can be found at heat shelters opened by the Home Affairs Department at community halls and centres across the city during hot weather warnings.