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EUROPE-WEATHER
Two dead in Spain as Europe wilts under record heatwave
MAD, France, Aug 3, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Two men died from heatstroke in
Spain as Europe sweltered in a record heatwave Friday, with temperatures
hitting a scorching 45 degrees Celsius in some areas and meteorologists
saying only scant relief is in sight in the coming days.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Europe was 48 degrees in Athens in
1977, closely followed by 47.3 in Amareleja, Portugal in 2003 and in Montoro,
Spain last year.
Here is a roundup:
– Spain: two dead –
Two men — a roadworker in his 40s and a 78-year-old pensioner — died from
heatstroke this week, as Spain is set to experience one of its hottest days
this summer on Friday, with temperatures expected to top 44 degrees Celsius
(111 degrees Fahrenheit) in Badajos on the border with Portugal, 42 degrees
in Seville and 40 in Madrid.
– Portugal: record 45 degrees –
In Portugal, where temperatures topped a record 45 degrees in Alvega, 150
kilometres (93 miles) north of Lisbon, on Thursday, the heatwave is expected
to reach its peak on Saturday, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea
and Atmosphere (IPMA).
While no “substantial” wildfires have been reported so far, the emergency
services say they remain on maximum alert and Interior Minister Eduardo
Cabrita declared a policy of “zero tolerance” towards risky activity, such as
barbecues.
– Germany: tourists head north –
Tourism operators, such as Thomas Cook and Alltours, were quoted by German
news agency DPA as saying that last-minute bookings for the Mediterranean are
down, as holidaymakers seek out cooler temperatures on the North Sea and
Baltic coastlines.
– Netherlands: water shortages –
In the Netherlands, where the current heatwave is the longest-ever recorded
— with temperatures set to reach 35 degrees on Friday — people are
beginning to experience water shortages, even if drinking supplies remain
unaffected for now.
– Sweden: hottest July in 250 years –
With almost no rainfall since May, Sweden experienced its hottest July in
more than 250 years, with the drought and high temperatures sparking
wildfires across the country, even as far north as the Arctic Circle. The
fires have largely abated.
A glacier on Sweden’s Kebnekaise mountain has melted so much that it is no
longer the country’s highest point, raising concerns about the rapid pace of
climate change.
But relief may be on the way: meteorologists are forecasting cooler
temperatures and thundershowers across the country on Saturday.
– France: health alert –
Wide swathes of France have been placed on heatwave alert as millions hit
the roads for August vacations, with sweltering conditions forecast to
persist into next week.
The health ministry has rolled out a TV and radio campaign alerting people
to the dangers of what is expected to be the most intense heatwave since
2006.
– Britain: retail sales down –
In Britain, the heatwave has hit retail sales, which were down 1.1 percent
in July, according to accountancy firm BDO.
“While the sunshine and buzz around England’s World Cup run was a boost for
pubs and supermarkets, the scorching conditions did not encourage physical
shopping and only hindered footfall in shops,” said BDO’s Sophie Michael.
“While temperatures may have been rising, retailers are being frozen out.
Summer is proving to be something of a disaster for shops.”
– Belgium: more road accidents –
The Belgian road safety authority VIAS reported an increase in the number
of road accidents as a result of the heatwave.
“The daily average number of accidents is 15 percent higher during a
heatwave. And the accidents are more serious,” VIAS spokesman, Stef Willems,
was quoted by Belgian media as saying.
– Italy: free bottles of water –
In the Italian capital, already well-equipped with free drinking water
fountains, the authorities are handing out bottles of water to tourists.
The national farmers’ union, Coldiretti, said that milk production was
down 15 percent as cows suffered from the heat. At the same time, ice cream
consumption was up 30 percent over the past week, the union said.
BSS/AFP/RY/1742 hrs