Care homes, prisons and asylum centres hit by night-time heat

As the Netherlands experiences its fifth heatwave this year, night-time temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius have been receiving less attention despite their significant impact on vulnerable populations. Lisette Klok, a researcher at Climate Adaptation Services, highlighted that night-time heat is crucial for allowing the body to recover from daytime heat, and poor sleep due to heat exacerbates the issue.

Hot nights, defined as those occurring between 11 PM and 7 AM, hinder people's ability to cope with daytime heat, leading to worse sleep patterns and reduced functionality during the day. The Climate Impact Atlas reveals that six tropical nights occur annually on average, with regional variations. South Limburg experiences the most, averaging 15 "sticky nights" per year, while Maastricht has the highest number of hot nights in the country.

Urban areas face intensified heat due to the urban heat island effect, which reduces the effectiveness of ventilation and cooling. Night-time temperatures pose a particularly severe risk to elderly residents in nursing homes, prompting evacuations in recent months. Care homes, prisons, and asylum centers, however, face unique challenges as they cannot install air conditioners independently.

The Dutch Correctional Institutions Agency has expressed the need for more resources to combat increased temperatures in prisons.