There is a realistic chance temperatures will surpass the previous heat record of 38.9 degrees, with some forecasts even predicting up to 42 degrees on Sunday. Because of this, several events in and around Berlin have been cancelled or postponed, while regulations regarding others have changed.
The horse race in Mariendorf, originally scheduled for Sunday, has been moved to Tuesday. The children’s circus festival in Hennigsdorf has been postponed and the Potsdam Bicycle Pride event has been cancelled. In Hellersdorf, the mini-football World Cup for children has been called off, as have all outdoor events in Spandau organised by the district office. Sunday’s opening of Berlin’s Senior Citizens’ Week has also been cancelled, as “especially older people should stay home in this heat,” said Senator for Social Affairs Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD).
Those who had travel plans and already bought train tickets but would now prefer to stay home need not fret; Deutsche Bahn offers free ticket cancellation for all IC/ICE journeys until June 30th, provided the ticket was purchased no later than June 23rd. Because of the heat and its effects on railway infrastructure, disruptions in train service are to be expected.
The Waldbühne has also changed its regulations; for Saturday evening’s season-ending concert of the Berlin Philharmonic, everyone is allowed to bring in two 0,5l drinks, food in transparent packaging and pocket umbrellas to protect from the sun, among other things. The organizers have increased the planned number of medical staff on site and will arrange water dispensers. Similarly, for Friday’s Bruno Mars concert, you can bring non-alcoholic beverages of up to 1 litre as well as handheld fans.
Emergency rooms are already seeing an increase in patients admitted due to dehydration as well as some suffering from heatstroke. Due to high UV levels, it is advised to seek out shade and wear sunscreen and sunglasses. It is also crucial to drink plenty of water.
Even though forests offer some respite from the heat, Brandenburg’s forest fire protection officer recommends steering clear of them over the weekend, as high temperatures mean a high risk of forest fires; there are other ways to stay cool without putting our lives at risk.
Unfortunately, taking a dip at the Columbiabad swimming pool may not be one of those ways, as the pool was forced to close again after just one day of operations. They are working hard to fix the technical malfunction that caused this state of affairs as quickly as possible, but no concrete timeframe is available at the moment.
At other pools and lakes, the German Lifesaving Association (DLRG) advises those with pre-existing cardiovascular problems to stick to supervised swimming spots due to the increased risk of complications and potential drownings resulting from temperature shock.
Drink plenty of water, ventilate your home, don’t spend excessive time in the sun and do the same to protect pets and animals. Here you can find a Refreshment Map that outlines cool and shaded spots in Berlin, as well as drinking fountains and green spaces. If you see someone in need due to the weather, including signs of dehydration or circulatory problems, you should approach them and ask if they need anything. If they accept your help, call +49 157 80597870.
If you want to keep up to date with the extreme heat, from today until Sunday at 20:15, rbb will be broadcasting a special program (in German) about the heat wave in the region, its effects and practical advice to deal with it.
