Istanbul, 16 August 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Turkey has reported a record temperature of 49.5 degrees Celsius while experts warn a heatwave trend in the Mediterranean basin is here to stay until the 2040s.

The record temperature was recorded on Tuesday in the central Anatolian province of Eskişehir, Environment Minister Mehmet Özhaseki wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, late on Tuesday evening. The previous record was 49.1 degrees Celsius in 2021, Özhaseki added.

The national weather service warned on Wednesday that the heatwave would continue to surpass the normal seasonal temperatures by up to 11 degrees.

The main reason behind the heat records is climate change, according to Barış Önol, a meteorology professor at Istanbul Technical University.

Although the weather phenomenon El Niño also brings temperature records, the heatwaves have become more frequent and last longer, Önol told dpa over the phone.

"Turkey will be much more exposed to high temperatures within the next 30 to 40 years like the rest of the Mediterranean region," Önol said.

Peak tourism season in the Mediterranean region would shift to September and October from 2040, Önol predicted. Likewise, water management will be key for the region, he said, anticipating drought for the summer months in years to come.

Turkey heavily depends on fossil fuels. According to official figures, in 2022 around 34.6% of electricity was generated from coal and 22.2% from natural gas.

The country aims to reach net zero by 2053, Özhaseki said.

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