Extreme heatwave in Europe: Seven dead in France, temperature shatters record in UK
Temperature records are being broken across Europe as the continent swelters in heatwave with France reporting at least seven deaths, directly or indirectly due to the heatwave and UK breaking a century old temperature record for the second time in the past 24 hours on Tuesday.
Europe is currently facing a high octane heat dome, which is a high pressure system that acts like a lid on a pot, trapping most of the hot air and thereafter, pushing it downwards, CNN reported. The heat dome could remain in place for several days or weeks and become more severe by human-caused climate change.
Fatalities and public health warnings in France
Meanwhile, French Junior Energy Minister Maud Bregeon on Tuesday informed that seven people died in the country, out of which five of them drowned in lakes, rivers or beaches, Reuters reported.
A 53-year-old runner suffered a heart attack and passed away during a race in Paris on Sunday, and a woman died in Lyon due to heatstroke, The Independent reported citing local media.
France’s Sports Minister Marina Ferrari on Tuesday announced that some sporting competitions had to be cancelled due to weather.
“Faced with this unprecedented episode of extreme heat for the month of May, I call on everyone’s vigilance. Avoid any activity during the hottest hours, hydrate regularly, adjust the intensity of your effort, and prioritise activities early in the morning or in the evening,” Ferrari said on social media.
Historical heat peaks in France and the UK
The national weather service recorded the hottest day in May on Monday in French history as the heatwave is expected to continue throughout the week.
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At Kew Gardens in London, the temperature soared to 34.8 degree Celsius which broke the earlier record by 2 degrees Celsius. The UK on Monday faced its hottest May day on record.
Severe weather alerts and “tropical nights”
In France, orange level warning has been issued in most of Brittany, Paris’ weather service Meteo France stated. The weather channel expects temperatures to reach up to 36 degrees Celsius on Tuesday afternoon.
London also recorded a rare “tropical night” which meant that the temperature didn’t plunge below 20 degrees Celsius.