2007年VOA标准英语-Heat Wave Kills Dozens in Central, Southeastern

By Stefan Bos
Budapest
26 June 2007

A heat wave has killed dozens of people in Central and Southeastern Europe, most in Romania, where authorities have issued a code orange alert in the capital Bucharest and in eight counties. There are also concerns about energy supplies, because of the increased use of air conditioners. Stefan Bos reports for VOA from Budapest on how the heat wave is having an impact on people in the region.

A Romanian gets a splash of water from a fountain in Bucharest, 26 June 2007

Patients in Budapest's Szent Ferenc (Saint Franciscus) Hospital may be forgiven for demanding cool air these days.

Yet, despite a heat wave that has claimed dozens of lives in Central and Southeastern Europe, the hospital's air conditioner is off.

The chief nurse in the cardiology department, Agnes Rajz, says the hospital does not have enough money for electricity because of government austerity measures aimed at cutting a ballooning budget deficit¹.

"Yes we have air-conditioning in the hospital, but we have to save on electricity bills. Therefore, we are not using it, or only sometimes," she said.

Ironically, that is good news for energy companies, which have warned of a major electricity crisis as an increasing number of Hungarians use air conditioners.

The country's prime minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany, has weighed in on the debate, suggesting alternative measures to keep cool.

In a controversial move, he urged female Cabinet members and other government workers to dispense² with stockings, while men were asked to leave their ties at home.
           
But in Budapest's 'Szent Ferenc' hospital, Chief Nurse Rajz tells VOA News the government's energy cuts come at the wrong moment as her department prepares for an influx³ of patients suffering from heat stroke.

"Yes we are preparing and we are expecting that there will be more ill people arriving because of the heat wave, especially between those who are older," she added.  "They don't drink enough, their blood pressure is very high, and they have all kind of heart problems. And for them this weather is very difficult."

The hospital is relatively⁴ lucky because it is located in the cooler, hilly side of town.  Last week, Budapest's highest temperatures in nearly 100 years were measured.

Edit Bleir, 65, lives near the hospital and is not looking forward to a downhill trip in an old, diesel-run, passenger bus to Budapest's lower lying center. She works in the city teaching filmmaking.

She says she is pleased that volunteers have begun distributing mineral water, especially to impoverished⁵ retired⁶ people.

"Yes, I think this is a good action they are making. Especially for people who are not able to buy it and for those who feel bad. They are now able to use that water," she said.

But there are doubts that these measures will be enough for Hungary to prevent heat-related deaths. Dozens of deaths have been reported in neighboring Romania where meteorologists say temperatures could hit 40 degrees Celsius⁷, the highest level in 90 years.

Romanian meteorologists have issued a code orange alert in the capital Bucharest and in eight counties in southern Romania because of the extreme heat.

Officials also reported deaths in other Balkan countries including Serbia, Albania and Bulgaria, where several people seeking relief drowned while swimming in unsupervised dams and beaches.

Turkey and Cyprus have also suffered deaths blamed on the intense heat

1 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

2 dispense   

vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施

参考例句：

• Let us dispense the food.咱们来分发这食物。
• The charity has been given a large sum of money to dispense as it sees fit.这个慈善机构获得一大笔钱，可自行适当分配。

3 influx   

n.流入，注入

参考例句：

• The country simply cannot absorb this influx of refugees.这个国家实在不能接纳这么多涌入的难民。
• Textile workers favoured protection because they feared an influx of cheap cloth.纺织工人拥护贸易保护措施，因为他们担心涌入廉价纺织品。

4 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

5 impoverished   

adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化

参考例句：

• the impoverished areas of the city 这个城市的贫民区
• They were impoverished by a prolonged spell of unemployment. 他们因长期失业而一贫如洗。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

7 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。