A powerful heat wave is sweeping across Europe, bringing temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius to several countries, while authorities have issued warnings for millions of people.
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For the first time this year, Italy has placed all of its major cities under the highest heat alert level, the AP reports.
Italy’s Health Ministry declared a “red alert” in all 27 cities monitored by the national temperature surveillance system, from Trieste in the north to Palermo in Sicily.
Authorities warn that the risk posed by high temperatures affects not only the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, but the entire population.
Residents and tourists have been urged to avoid exposure to the sun during the hottest hours, remain in cool places and drink as much water as possible.
Because of the extreme temperatures, Italy’s Tourism and Culture ministries have extended visiting hours at monuments such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon, allowing tourists to visit in the evening.
Water-misting devices have been installed at the entrances to the Colosseum to provide cooling, while additional medical assistance points have also been set up.
Meanwhile, the Rome City Council has made a free “urban beach” available along the Tiber River in the Marconi area, where residents can cool off in pools, at water fountains and in shaded areas.
Historic records in Austria and Slovakia
In Slovakia, the temperature reached 42.2 degrees Celsius, the highest level ever recorded in the country.
Austria also recorded a new national record, with 41.2 degrees Celsius in the Bad Deutsch-Altenburg area, near the border with Slovakia.
High temperatures and a lack of rainfall have also caused energy problems. In Slovakia, low water levels in the Danube forced the country’s largest hydropower plant, Gabčíkovo, to shut down seven of its eight turbines, significantly reducing electricity production.
Austria is also facing a severe drought. According to official data, rainfall from January through the end of June was 27% below the long-term average, while some eastern regions received only half the normal amount of rain.
Climate experts warn that extreme heat waves are becoming increasingly frequent and intense as a result of climate change, putting pressure on healthcare and energy systems, transport and tourism infrastructure across Europe.
