Greece braces for record heatwave, power outages

ATHENS, June 25 (Reuters) Authorities in Greece have put emergency services on full alert today and were bracing for power shortages as the country bakes in temperatures of up to 46 degrees (114.8 F), making June the hottest month ever recoded.

Athenians heading for work dragged themselves out of the city's metro clutching newspapers over their heads to try stave off the blazing sun, while tourists with bottles of water sheltered under the few trees in the city centre.

''Emergency services are on full alert and the state apparatus is ready to deal with all possibilities,'' civil protection chief Panayiotis Fourlas said in a broadcast on state-run NET television.

At least 19 people have died in Romania last week from the heatwave that has gripped parts of southeastern Europe and the Middle East.

Despite the high temperatures, few heatstroke incidents were reported in the country.

But authorities were not taking any chances. Across the country, municipalities have set up large air-conditioned halls to provide shelter for the elderly and people with heart problems.

Authorities have also told Athenians to stay out of the sun, avoid unnecessary travel and switch off energy-hungry home appliances including washing machines, boilers and air conditioners.

Increased use of airconditioners has, however, raised the spectre of blackouts during the week, as people who have escaped to the beaches over the weekend returned home.

State energy utility Public Power Corp. has urged customers to limit their use of household appliances and ration airconditioning use to help stave off possible power disruptions.

REUTERS SKB VV1434