New york city: A severe heatwave swept across New York City, sending temperatures soaring to 37.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday, forcing residents, tourists, and even pets to seek ways to cool down urgently.
According to Thai News Agency, at Battery Park, people gathered at cooling stations and fountains to escape the heat. Meanwhile, in Times Square, temperatures measured at the red stairwell near the TKTS ticket counters soared to 37.8 to 40 degrees Celsius, forcing passersby and workers in the area to seek refuge from the scorching sun through misting stations and shade from buildings.
Genesis Barrios, a 44-year-old New York tour guide, and Sebastian Esposito, a 27-year-old tourist from Bogot¡, Colombia, both agreed that despite the uncomfortably hot summer weather, the energy and vibrancy of the people outdoors made the city feel lively. Similarly, Irish rugby union player Brian Deeney and tourist Juhee Vane from Colorado admitted to struggling with the unusually hot and humid conditions but still enjoyed their time in New York City, seeking air conditioning in shops, drinking water, and taking breaks to escape the heat. Photographer Gabino Flores wore dark clothing to protect against sunburn and advised people to seek shade under trees or in buildings. Meanwhile, street artist The Naked Cowboy and a woman named Aquila Spikes, using a misting station, noted that Times Square was unusually hot and humid, requiring them to constantly drink water to stay hydrated.
Pet owners are also adapting to ensure their pets' safety. Bobby Boone, a 62-year-old New Yorker, took his dog to the PetCo flagship store in Union Square for grooming and to escape the heat, stating that he had to constantly provide his dog with food, water, and air conditioning, even though he disliked it. Another customer, Malgorsata Svyatkowska, chose a pet stroller to prevent her dog's paws from touching the scorching street. Tennell Pratt, general manager of the PetCo branch, revealed that demand for products to help pets cope with the high temperatures has surged, as pets, like humans, are easily dehydrated. The store aims to provide a safe and comfortable space for pets during this heatwave.