The Iraqi government has announced a two-day mandatory official holiday beginning on Wednesday due to a heatwave.

A statement issued by the Iraqi cabinet said temperatures were expected to soar above 50C (122F). It is the first heat advisory issued by the Iraqi government this summer.

The public holiday will apply to all government workers.

High temperatures in summer are common in Iraq, and endemic electricity outages make life harder for Iraqis when temperatures soar. To cope with the heat, Iraqis either stay indoors or swim in rivers. In some public places, showers are set up for those who want to cool down.

It is not uncommon for such public holidays to be declared when heatwaves hit during Iraq’s long, hot summers.