Europe is devastated by intense heatwave. Record heat has disrupted public life in several countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany. Warnings have been issued officially.
The government has issued a ban on going outside in Italy due to the intense heat. In some regions, working outdoors in the afternoon has also been banned. A woman fainted and died while walking on the street in the city of Palermo. The number of patients in the emergency departments of hospitals has increased by 15-20 percent, mostly elderly and dehydrated.
In Spain, a child died of heatstroke in a car in Tarragona, Catalonia. The temperature in the province of Huelva in Andalusia has recorded 46 degrees Celsius, which is the highest so far. The average temperature in June was 23.6 degrees Celsius — surpassing the previous record set in 2017.
The temperature in the city of Mora in Portugal reached 46.6 degrees Celsius, which is the highest in the country in June, according to the meteorological office.
In France, many schools have been closed due to excessive heat. Educational institutions say that classrooms are a risk for children and teachers. Train services between Italy and France have also been temporarily suspended due to severe storms.
Meanwhile, in Germany, a heat wave called ‘Betina’ has engulfed almost the entire country. Temperatures have reached 40 degrees Celsius, with only the coast and mountainous regions enjoying some relief.
Forest fires are burning in Turkey. The forestry minister said that 263 fires have broken out in the past few days. Thousands of people have been evacuated to safe shelters.
Tourism is also affected: The top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris has been temporarily closed as temperatures exceeded 38 degrees. The popular Atomium monument in Brussels has been closed.
Education and health organizations and industry groups say that many institutions in Europe are not prepared for such extreme weather. They demand urgent action.
Experts say such extreme heatwaves will become more frequent and severe due to climate change, and the disaster will worsen if action is not taken now.
Source: The Guardian.