Rome – large heat waves in southern Europe have pushed temperatures greater than 40 C (104 F) in countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece, since local authorities issued new warnings against the risk of forest fires.
Experts link the ascending frequency and intensity of these heat waves with climate change, warning that such extreme climatic events are becoming increasingly common in the southern region of Europe.
Severo heat was recorded in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal before the weekend, with locists and tourists who take refuge for suffocating conditions.
Two thirds of Portugal were on a maximum alert on Sunday to obtain extreme heat and forest fires, and temperatures are expected to exceed 42 C (107 F) in Lisbon.
In Italy, some regions (Lazio, Toscana, Calabria, Puglia and Umbria, planned to ban some outdoor work activities during the hottest hours of the day in response to record temperatures. Italian unions pushed the government to expand such measures nationwide.
On Sunday, the Italian Ministry of Health placed 21 of 27 cities monitored under its highest heat alert, including the main holiday destinations such as Rome, Milan and Naples.
In Rome, tourists tried to look for shadow near popular places such as the coliseum and the source of Trevi, using umbrellas and drinking from public water sources to stay fresh.
Similar scenes were reported in Milan and Naples, where street vendors sold lemonade to tourists and residents to offer a heat soda.
Greece returned to high forest fire alert due to extreme weather, and the first summer heat wave is expected to continue throughout the weekend.
A great forest fire broke out south of Athens on Thursday, forcing evacuations and road closures near the old Poseidon temple. The strong winds extended the flames, damaging houses and sending smoke through the sky.
The Greek authorities deployed 130 firefighters, 12 aircraft and 12 helicopters to fight the fire, while the police evacuated 40 people, with five areas under evacuation orders.
In Spain, the locals and tourists desperately tried to stay fresh this weekend, since the country squeahed in temperatures of up to 42 C (107 F) in the southern city of Seville, along with other places in the southern and central parts of the country.
The regions of southern Spain registered temperatures above seasonal averages, which caused health alerts and security recommendations of the authorities. The country’s national weather service, Aemet, has said that June will break another record, becoming the best month since the records began.
Experts warned that intense heat can affect daily life, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children.
Local authorities advised physical activity during the hottest hours of the day, and recommended drinking many liquids.
A Public Health study of Lancet published last year highlighted the growing risk of death related to climate change. The study predicted that heat -related deaths could quadruply in the middle of the century under current climatic policies.
While more people die from cold than heat, the study emphasized that the increase in temperatures will compensate for the benefits of softest winters, leading to a significant net increase in heat -related mortality.
