Melt from heat her countries Southern Europe With France, Spain, Italy and Portugal to be with incredible high temperatures.
“Unprecedented for France”, “climate shelters” in Italy: Southern European countries are confronted with a strong heatwave that continues today, without directly appearing on the horizon.
Spain, Portugal, Italy and France have been affected for several days from a heatwave, with temperatures reaching up to 44 ° C.
In France, meteorologists set 84 of the 95 counties of the country (excluding overseas territories) In an orange alarm on Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures that could exceed 40 ° C. A heat wave expected to last at least until the middle of the week.
Minister of Ecological transition Anes Panier-Rinasser commented on AFP Sunday night on Sunday night that this is a “unprecedented” phenomenon.
Authorities have called on businesses to “protect their employees” and about 200 public schools, out of a total of 45,000, will be partially or fully suspended on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
In Madrid, where mercury reached almost 40 ° C, “this heat is not normal for this time of year,” commented Diego Radames, a 32 -year -old photographer.
Already on Saturday, Spain has set a high -temperature record, which has remained confirmed, since records began to be maintained, with 46 ° C in Granada, Andalusia. The previous record was 45.2 ° C in Seville in June 1965.
Temperature record and sea: The temperature in the Mediterranean exceeded 26 ° C in the Balearic Islands, a threshold “usually recorded in mid -August”, according to the Aemet National Weather Service.
Alarm in 21 cities of Italy
In Italy, 21 cities were put in a state of high alert for extreme heat yesterday, including Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence and Rome, where ambulances were parked near tourist attractions.
Emergency Departments in Italian Hospitals have reported a 10% increase in heat stroke cases, according to Mario Guarino, Vice President of the Italian Emergency Society, “mainly in cities that not only face very high temperatures but also a higher moisture rate. “
Main victims: “Elderly, cancer patients or homeless people suffering from dehydration, heat stroke, fatigue,” he explained to AFP.
In Venice, guided tours are free for people over 75 in air -conditioned museums and public buildings, while in Rome the pools are free for people over 70 years.
In addition, “climate shelters” have been created in Bologna and dehumidifiers have been distributed to those in need in Ankona.
The phenomenon of urban thermal islet
“The heat waves in the Mediterranean region have become more frequent and intense in recent years, with the highest temperatures reaching 37 ° C or more in cities, where the urban thermal island phenomenon is further rising temperatures,” said Emmanuel Piervitali, researcher.
According to scientists, recurring heat waves are a clear indication of global warming and these heatwave waves are expected to become longer, longer and more intense.
According to the UN Intergovernmental Committee (IPCC), “It is almost certain” that the frequency and intensity of extreme heat as well as fuel duration have risen since 1950 And they will continue to grow due to global warming.
In Portugal, many areas in the southern part of the country, including Lisbon, have been put on a red alert until this evening. The risk of fire is also very high, While in Sicily, Italy, firefighters fought on Saturday to extinguish 15 fires.
On the streets of Lisbon residents and tourists are trying to protect themselves as best they can.
“We advise people to avoid heat as much as they can, but we are already seeing outbreaks of heat stroke and burns,” pharmacist Sofia Monteiro told AFP.