By Abdul-Rahman Saad, IOL Kuwait Correspondent

KUWAIT CITY, July 17, (Islamonline) - In the simmering temperature of Kuwait, young and old alike enjoy the simple experiment of breaking an egg on a car hood, especially between 10 am. and 4 pm., and watching the egg fry.

If not for air conditions everywhere, cars and houses would become more of frying pans.

But meteorology experts at the general department of Kuwaiti civilian airlines declared in a recently published press statement that the temperature this summer is normal, as it recorded 49 C° in July 8, 2002, compared to 48 C° last July, and 51 C° in July 2000.

The department, accused of forging the reading of the temperature degrees so the workers will not leave their work and stay home, reverts the reasons behind the soaring temperature to the long hours of the day - 14 hours, which affects the environment which is exposed more to the sun.

Moreover, the absence of clouds that help absorb or disperse sun rays, affects similarly on rising temperature.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bassam Al-Meqdad pointed out that Kuwait is different from other areas for it has no relieves as its lands is flat, so that there is no shortage of oxygen in the air, but the dusty atmosphere and the humidity of the air causes diseases like dyspnea, allergy and bronchitis.

He added that those who suffer from asthma, especially children, should not go out in the time of heat waves, and the elderly should put on a respiration mask in these times.

On the other hand, Dr. Naji Zaki who works in the Showaych Health Center, pointed out that the dyspnea and fainting cases which the health centers receive in the country are not due to shortage of oxygen in the air but to high temperature that causes sweat and loss of body moisture, which in turn cause fainting.

Most Kuwaitis, whether those who afford or cannot afford travel expenses, prefer to spend most of the summer holiday in countries that enjoy moderate temperatures.

Kuwaitis who do not travel spend most of the summer inside their homes, as the temperature outside is mostly over 50 C°. They expect that it will reach 75-80 C° in sunny areas and 53 C° in shaded areas.

This rise in temperature degrees causes more fires. Colonel Abdul-Rahman Al-Mazeni, vice head of the general administration of fire-fighting, pointed out that 28 rescue troops have finished their preparations for the expected fires in this summer season.