“Stay in doors and only go outside when needed,” says a Castries business owner responding to the sweltering heat gripping Saint Lucia.
On Friday, St. Lucia Times took to the streets of the capital to gather insights from store owners, employees and customers about how the intense temperatures affect them and fan and air conditioner sales.
Businesses disclosed that they are experiencing a notable increase in demand for cooling appliances.
Rainbow Department Store reported selling out of its stock of 45 fans within just two months.
“This year’s heat is worse than anything we’ve experienced before,” the Manager stated, highlighting the ongoing struggle to keep customers comfortable.
Workers at Phoenix in Castries have also noticed a trend, with an average of four fans leaving the store daily since June.
The store is now completely out of stock and remains uncertain when new shipments will arrive.
One employee lamented, “This year is unbearable. Even after a shower, you sweat. One fan isn’t enough for a family.”
As temperatures continue to soar, she urged resellers to lower fan prices to make them more accessible and emphasised the importance of hydration, noting that even with increased water intake, many are still experiencing dehydration.
At Z & C Trading, fan sales have also reached record levels, with 20 units sold in just one day last week.
The store typically sells an average of 10 fans daily and has managed to keep its inventory stocked by making early purchases.
Employees reported a diverse clientele, including schools that frequently buy fans in sets of three.
In addition to fans, the demand for umbrellas has risen sharply, with staff commenting that “the heat is getting worse.”
Portable mini fans and neck fans with rechargeable batteries have also become common.
More people are also buying air conditioners, with one major outlet declaring on Friday that customers had bought all its AC units and fans that were on sale.
Figures from the Saint Lucia Meteorological Services reveal the recorded temperature in Castries for August 2024 was 0.6â—¦C warmer than the average temperatures of the past 15 years (2009-2023).
Likewise, in Vieux Fort, August temperatures were 0.3 â—¦C above the average of the past 15 years.
As a result, local health officials have warned of the health risks associated with warmer temperatures.
They include an increased risk of dehydration—the symptoms of which include dizziness, fainting spells, and heat stress.
As the community grapples with extreme temperatures, local businesses continue to adapt to meet the urgent needs of their customers while residents look for relief from the relentless heatwave.
PHOTO: Courtesy Pexels.com
Wow.. this makes news wow
So y’all keep cutting trees/green areas (nature’s natural coolant) and replace with concrete and asphalt (exacerbating the urban island heat effect) and don’t expect that?
“Castries for August 2024 was 0.6â—¦C warmer than the average temperatures of the past 15 years (2009-2023).”
Can you tell me what the temperature was in Castries in August 1878? How about the average temperature from 1500 – 1515? Need to do a comparison.
I remember the days when it was not so hot. If people think this weather phenomenon is a joke, by the time they take it seriously it will be too late. The evidence is pointing to extremes in temperature which will cause a great catastrophy in diminished water supplies, excessive heat, hotter nights, loss of animal species due to over heating which will then affect the bio – systems which is dependent on each other….which will affect us as humans in return. This is no scaremongering here but the realities are starting to show….
I’m still waiting for “the earth to blow up into flames”. That was the talk in 2015 when the climate agenda started taking the world by storm (pardon the pun).
St. Lucians have forgotten that we live in a tropical climate. These types of climates have high temperatures and high relative humidity which increases the heat index (how hot the weather actually feels regardless of the actual thermometer temperature). We are also in September, the month with the highest amount of solar-generated atmospheric heat in our region. Add to the fact that the Atlantic High Pressure System is weaker than usual. That explains the lack of wind. This is what the Met Office is suppose to explain to the public. A 0.6C difference in the temperature is statically-speaking, a rounding off error.
Move to heights….. imagine at nights I have to pull a sheet and November thru January is full pajamas. There is a trough that flows behind the airport constantly my friend a air traffic controller told me that trough is straight out of North America and it flows between st Vincent and St Lucia I build right in it certain windows I just have to crack if I don’t want all on the dresser to be on the ground at nights it sounds like a wolf trying to break in I hardly use a fan. Yes down below hot but people up in Paro and Soufriere and these places not feeling Castries heat
We are constantly being warned about the effects greenhouse gases are having on the planet, but do you remember the saying from our older folks, ‘ whenever it’s raining the dog says he’ going to build his house but at the sight of the sun he forgets about the whole thing’
The worse yet not come 🔥🔥🔥,to punish the wicked and destroys the mockers blasphèmers and haters of God..
Clap your hands, all you nations ; who bears the name of the LORD,shout with joy..
God is our refuge and strength,an ever -present help in trouble..
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way,
Nations are uproar, kingdom fall ;he lifts his voice,the earth melts..
He burns the mockers with fire,desolations he brought on the earth…
“Be still,and know that I am God ;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted among the earth..
The LORD Almighty is with us ; the God of Israël (Jacob is our fortress…