Diyala shortens government office hours for July and August heat

BAGHDAD — Diyala governorate will cut official working hours at government offices by one hour a day through July and August because of the summer heat, its administration said Monday.

The measure, ordered by Governor Adnan Mohammed al-Shammari, trims an hour from the end of the workday to protect employees and visitors during the peak of the season, the governorate said. It applies to all government departments and institutions in Diyala for the two months.

The move comes as Iraq endures very hot to extremely hot weather under a seasonal thermal low. The General Authority for Meteorology said temperatures would hold near recent levels through Tuesday, ease slightly in central and southern Iraq on Wednesday, then rise again by Friday, with strong northwesterly winds raising dust and cutting visibility on desert roads to 5 to 7 km.