"Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued a ‘high danger’ red alert for an unprecedented heatwave covering the entire territory of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, a measure that will remain in effect at least until Monday. Other regions of the country are also covered by the warning, including Mato Grosso do Sul and areas of the state of Parana. In total, the alert affects more than 1,000 municipalities, where temperatures are up to 5 degrees Celsius above the annual average. Footage filmed on Sunday shows Sao Paulo residents walking through the city centre drinking cold beverages, and bathing with water from a fountain in a park, after Inmet had forecast a maximum temperature of at least 34°C. "I am here in the park so that the children can be a little in the water and cool off, because the heat here in Sao Paulo is unbearable. Over 35 degrees. So we only use a humidifier in the room and are in the park to relax a little," explained a Sao Paulo resident. "What we are doing to face the heat is coming here, to the museum fountain. It's an open space. The beaches, most of them, are not suitable for swimming <...> That's why we are looking for more accessible options to cool off," added another local. On Friday, Sao Paulo recorded a temperature of 36.2°C, the highest for the month of December since 1961, according to local government data. As a result of the heatwave, the Sao Paulo government warned of 'higher water consumption' and urged the population to adopt water-saving measures and reuse water whenever possible."