Bandar Mahshahr almost broke a world record for its scorching weather reaching 74 degrees

THERE’S a place in the world that is in the middle of a heatwave that has almost broken the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded.

‘One of the most extreme readings ever’

WHILE many of us are wishing for the warm weather to return, those living in the Middle East are hoping for the opposite.

Late last week, city officials were forced to call a four day public holiday after the apparent temperatures in Iraq reached 50 degrees.

While this sounds uncomfortable enough, the city of Bandar Mahshahr almost broke a world record for its scorching weather.

According to a heat index — a measurement combing air temperature and humidity to provide a reading of how hot weather “feels” to the human body — the city registered temperatures of 74 degrees.

Meteorologist Anthony Saglia said while experts predicted the country would be enduring some warmer than average temperatures, they were shocked to see it was close to one of the hottest weather periods ever endured by mankind.

“That was one of the most incredible temperature observations I have ever seen and it is one of the most extreme readings ever in the world,” he said in a statement.

The only city to record a hotter index reading was Dhahran, Saudi Arabia when it reached an astounding 81 degrees on July 8, 2003.

50°C (122°F) + stations Thursday: ORMM (Bashrah Iraq) 51°C KQTZ (Baghdad Iraq) 50°C pic.twitter.com/MQZCLSj79I

— Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) July 30, 2015

Mr Saglia said the extreme conditions were caused by a high pressure system lingering over the region.

“A strong ridge of high pressure has persisted over the Middle East through much of July, resulting in the extreme heatwave in what many would consider one of the hottest places in the world,” he said.

Mr Saglia added the high pressure system will likely remain in place across the Middle East for the remainder of the week.

”More oppressive heat and humidity and more astounding apparent temperatures are likely through the next several days,” he said.

In the wake of the extreme weather, the government has advised residents to stay out of the sun and to remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

However, this is easier said than done for those Iraqis suffering chronic electricity and water cuts as the result of violent conflict.