American Samoa is enduring sweltering heat with elderly people saying this is the hottest weather they've ever experienced in the territory.
The golf course greens are brown, the heat has caused cracks in the power generators and also driven up power demand as families charge up their air conditioners.
The previous highest temperature was 92 fahrenheit but the National Weather Service's, Carol Maafala Baqui, said that has been surpassed this week with temperatures up to 95, which is about 35 degrees celsius.
"And what is more interesting is that the heat index has reached a maximum of 116 today and that is very high for us here in American Samoa, it's very unusual to see these numbers rise at such a high rate," said Carol Maafala Baqui.
The heat index is a measure of both temperature and humidity.
Residents have been advised to plan outdoor work and activity for early in the morning or in the evening when the temperature is lower, drink lots of water and take the necessary precautions.
Utility under pressure
The American Samoa Power Authority is renting generators after cracks in machines at its Tafuna power plant rendered them unusable.
The heat wave has stressed cooling systems on the remaining generators according to ASPA's Wallon Young.
The rental generators will be used for at least three months, as it will take ASPA this time to repair the damaged machines.
The heat cracks in the generators are not visible to the naked eye, but were detected by Magnetic Particle Inspection testing.
ASPA operates 17 generators on the main island of Tutuila but with two down, all the remaining machines would have to operate at their maximum capacity to meet demand.
A new power plant Satala, that should provide almost all the island's needs, is due to be commissioned at the end of May this year.
Photo: 123RF
