As temperatures fluctuate around 38 degrees Celsius, the municipality of the northwestern province of Edirne devised a new way to relieve the public of suffocating heat. Sprinklers spraying drops of cold water - commonly used by restaurants, cafes and other venues that feature outdoor seating - were installed throughout a main street in what the mayor calls a first in the country.Saraçlar, a pedestrian-only avenue that is among the busiest spots in this border province, were fitted with 200 water jets to cool passersby.
Edirne Mayor Recep Gürkan told reporters that people in the province are not accustomed to such high temperatures, which are well beyond seasonal averages. He added that most people were forced to stay indoors due to the sweltering heat, which also affects businesses. "So, we decided to set up this system you usually see at private establishments. People can now go shopping without fearing the heat," he said, stressing that the number of shoppers has significantly increased in the past few days since they installed the water jets last week.
