Heatwave scorches Europe; health alerts issued – Times of India

LEIRIA (PORTUGAL)/LONDON: Hundreds more people were evacuated from their homes as wildfires blistered land in France, Spain and Portugal on Friday, while officials in Europe issued health warnings for the heatwave in the coming days. More than 1,000 firefighters, supported by water-bomber aircraft, have battled since Tuesday to control two blazes in southwestern France that have been fanned by scorching heat, tinder-box conditions and strong winds.
While temperatures dipped a little in Portugal, they were still expected to top 40°C in some places, with five districts on red alert and more than 1,000 firefighters tackling 17 wildfires. In Spain, the environment ministry said it was tackling 17 wildfires across the country. Meanwhile, the worst dro- ught in over 70 years reduced Italy’s longest river, the Po, to little more than a trickle in places.
Italy has declared a state of emergency along the Po, which supports about a third of the country’ agricultural production, after facing its hottest July since 1800, with temperatures expected to rise next week. Officials are worried about the effects on people’s health and on healthcare systems already challenged by the Covid-19. The World Meteorological Organization said the heatwave would worsen air quality, especially in towns and cities. From July 7 to July 13, Portugal registered 238 excess deaths due to the heatwave. Spain registered 84 excess deaths attributable to extreme temperatures in the first three days of the heatwave.

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