HIGH temperature records will continue to be challenged across the Middle East this week as blistering heat and dry conditions remain over the region.

The week got off to a blazing start in Baghdad, Iraq, with a temperature reading of 50.6 degrees Celsius on Monday. But on Tuesday, the temperature climbed even higher. According to preliminary reports from the area, the temperature reached 51.2 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, tying the all-time record high temperature for the city.

Similar heat was felt across the Middle East with temperatures in the upper 40s Celsius across the region Monday and many areas reaching above 50 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

Scorching high temperatures are forecast to continue this week as an area of high pressure remains overhead, allowing dry conditions and plenty of sunshine to bake the region.

The ancient city’s origins date back to the 700s when it served as one of the most significant cultural centers for Arab and Islamic civilizations for centuries, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Currently more than 7.6 million people reside in the Iraqi capital.

In recent days, Baghdad has been rocked by protests and tensions escalated with security forces killing two demonstrators Sunday. Electricity shortages have been one of the top issues protesters have been demonstrating against, and something that’s been magnified by the record heat that’s set in.

The countrywide record for all-time highest temperature is 53.8 degrees Celsius set in Basra, Iraq, on July 22, 2016.

The average high temperature for July in Damascus, Syria, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, are near 49 degrees Celsius. However, the hottest areas this week are in eastern Iraq, including Baghdad, where the average high temperature for the month is 45 degrees Celsius.

(SD-Agencies)