The heatwave in Europe has claimed its first lives, and meteorologists have issued warnings
This is according to a report by Reuters.
In France, a woman and two men aged between 80 and 95 have died in their homes in the suburbs of Bordeaux — believed to be due to the extreme heat.
The French meteorological service forecasts temperatures in Bordeaux to rise to 43°C, and in the capital, Paris, to 39°C. Overall, Météo-France has issued the highest ‘red alert’ for heat in 49 of France’s 96 departments.
Around 845 schools across France have been closed due to the heat, whilst a further 1,800 schools plan to allow pupils to leave earlier than usual. In several towns, the annual street music festival has been cancelled.
Emergency services have warned people not to try to cool off in lakes and rivers without supervision, as over the weekend of 20–21 June alone, 13 drowned people were recovered from bodies of water, including a teenage girl.
French meteorologists say the current heatwave could prove to be as severe as the one that claimed the lives of nearly 15,000 people in France in August 2003.
Belgian meteorologists have warned that the country is expected to see ‘the highest temperatures on record’. The French and Belgian authorities have cancelled or reduced rail services due to fears of breakdowns, which could cause congestion and delays.
Spain has also issued warnings of ‘extremely high’ temperatures — both during the day and at night. In some areas, temperatures are forecast to reach 44°C. Due to the heatwave in Madrid, the open-air screening of the World Cup match between Spain and Saudi Arabia has been cancelled.
In Germany, organisers suspended the final of the Berlin Open tennis tournament and evacuated everyone from the venue due to severe thunderstorms; temperatures in the capital exceeded 30°C over the weekend.
The Portuguese Meteorological Agency reported that temperatures were generally above average, but in some northern and central inland regions they were ‘close to previously recorded highs’.
In the UK, a yellow warning for extreme heat has been issued for 22–25 June — temperatures are expected to exceed 35°C.
What’s the weather like in Ukraine?
According to the forecast by the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Centre, temperatures in Ukraine are also expected to rise to over 30°C in the final days of June.
Meteorologist Natalia Didenko notes: “Of course, late June offers every chance of a proper summer, however, in most regions of Ukraine on 22 June, temperatures are expected to be comfortable — 25–29°C during the day, and in some places, where the sun is stronger, up to 30°C.”
Short-lived showers and thunderstorms are forecast in the western and northern regions, in the Cherkasy and Poltava regions, and in the evening in the Kharkiv region. The rest of Ukraine will see no significant rainfall.
“Let’s once again appreciate our wonderful Ukrainian climate; we’re not facing the fierce western heatwave. At least, not yet. As always, keep an eye on the updated weather forecasts and don’t be shy about wearing wide-brimmed hats and caps with large brims. And be sure to carry a bottle or spray bottle of water,” advised Didenko.
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