By Juan Bustamante

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina is facing a historic heat wave with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104°F), making the country for a while the hottest place on the planet, straining power grids and forcing residents to seeking sanctuary in the shade.

With temperatures up around 45°C (113°F) in parts of the South American nation, hundreds of thousands of people were left without electricity when power grids failed in and around populous capital city Buenos Aires.

Jose Casabal, 42 years old, said, “I returned to my home, and there was no electricity, and our house was a furnace.” He then took his children to find some cool places to cool off. “So, I took them to their grandmother’s home to swim in her pool.”

Argentina’s dry heat, driven by La Nina weather patterns, has already been affecting crops. It was, for many hours, the hottest spot on Earth, surpassing parts of Australia, which were cooled at night.

Gustavo Barrios from Tigre, aged 34, said, “Even in the early morning, it was extremely hot. Around 31 degrees.” He stood under some trees and said, “I don’t have air conditioner at home, so it was hot outside. We were able to get by with the fan blowing hot water. It’s unbearable.”

Local officials advised residents not to go out in direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. They also recommended that they wear lightweight clothing and keep hydrated.

“We need to be careful these days,” stated Horacio Rod Larreta, mayor of Buenos Aires.

Lucas Berengua, meteorologist, stated that this heat wave is unprecedented and could break records across the country.

“This is a heat wave of extraordinary characteristics, with extreme temperature values ​​that will even be analyzed after its completion, and it may generate some historical records for Argentina temperatures and persistence of heat,” he said.

It raised concerns about climate change, extreme weather and other issues. In Argentina, wildfires have increased in number around the main river delta. The water levels of Parana River and its major Parana River dropped to an almost 80-year low.

Marta Lorusso (59), an architect, said, “I was born in this climate. I observed how it changed over time and it’s not what we are used to.”

Low pressure and this combination really makes me sick. I consume liters of water every day and try to do the best I can. It’s all done without electricity. “I don’t know where to start.”