RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Rio de Janeiro experienced its warmest day in over ten years, with temperatures soaring to 44 degrees Celsius (111°F) on Monday. In a bid to escape the sweltering heat, many locals headed to the beach.

This marked the city’s highest temperature since the implementation of its climate alert system a decade ago. The previous record was recorded at 43.8°C in November 2023.

In response to the extreme heat forecasted for the upcoming days, city officials have issued alerts, established hydration stations, and readied the public health services to manage a potential rise in heat-related health issues.

Rio’s Mayor, Eduardo Paes, announced on Sunday that the Carnival celebrations, set to begin soon, will not be canceled; however, he advised attendees to take necessary precautions.

Concerns regarding heat during public gatherings have escalated in Brazil, particularly following the tragic incident in which a fan suffered a fatality during Taylor Swift’s concert in Rio amid the November heat wave.