America is currently in the grip of extreme heat. Due to the dangerous heatwave affecting many states of the East Coast, many programs of the 250th Independence Day (4th July) have been affected. Due to extreme heat, parades had to be canceled at many places, timings of some programs were changed and people have been advised to leave their homes less.
According to the US Meteorological Department (NWS), the heat index, i.e. the temperature felt by the body, in the capital Washington DC on Friday can reach around 45 degrees Celsius. For this reason, the Great American State Fair held at the National Mall was closed for a few hours on Friday afternoon. Organizers said that the safety of people, artists, staff and volunteers is of utmost importance.
Parades canceled at 2 places in Virginia
Independence Day parades in Leesburg, Virginia and Laurel and Takoma Park in Maryland were also canceled due to the heat. However, the Capital Fourth Concert held every year will be held as scheduled. But in view of the heat, the time of entry of people has been changed. Now the gates will open at 7 pm and the program will start at 8 pm. The police have appealed to the people to bring enough water with them, to avoid dehydration and to protect themselves from the heat.
Patti La Belle, Alan Jackson, Chicago, Kool and the Gang, National Symphony Orchestra, US Army Band, Choral Arts Society of Washington and Joint Armed Forces Chorus will perform in this program. Its rehearsal to be held on Thursday evening was also canceled for the general public due to the scorching heat. This time, this concert has been kept on 3rd July instead of 4th July, because on 4th July, special fireworks and other big events will be organized in the National Mall under Freedom 250.
Some trains also canceled due to heat
President Donald Trump will deliver a speech at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota and attend the fireworks show. After this, on Saturday evening he will also give a speech at the National Mall in Washington, where fireworks will be set off on a large scale. The heat has not only affected the celebrations. Changes have also been made in programs in Boston, Norristown (Pennsylvania) and Gettysburg National Military Park. At the same time, Amtrak has canceled some trains in north-eastern America, because the railway tracks may be affected by the extreme heat.
The heat index in New York City reached around 41 degrees Celsius on Thursday. After this, Mayor Zohran Mamdani appealed to the people to save electricity. He said that people should keep the temperature of their AC at 25.5 degrees Celsius, switch off non-essential lights and electronic equipment. However, Republican leaders criticized him for this advice. Florida Senator Rick Scott called it communism, while Senator Lindsey Graham taunted that the socialist Democrats have now reached the people’s AC.
Also read: Which of the GCC countries attended Khamenei’s funeral, who did not and why?
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