The intensification of the European heatwave has led to red alerts being declared in most of Italy’s main urban centers. The apex of extreme temperatures is anticipated on Wednesday, prompting 23 cities across Italy, from Trieste in the northeast to Messina in the southwest, to remain on high alert.
The warnings underscore the fact that the extreme heat poses a threat to everyone’s well-being, irrespective of their vulnerability.
The continent is grappling with wildfires spreading in various regions, including Greece and the Swiss Alps.
As the heatwave continues, millions of people in the northern hemisphere are grappling with dehydration due to the extreme temperatures.
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The scorching temperatures are a direct consequence of a high-pressure system that is ushering in warmer, tropical air from the southern regions, while a jet stream remains immobile over central Europe.
The ongoing heatwave is expected to continue until Wednesday in most parts of southern Europe, with temperatures consistently exceeding 40°C (104°F) for several consecutive days.
BBC Weather predicts that the scorching temperatures will persist on the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily, with thermometers hitting around 46°C or 47°C.
The local media has dubbed the continuous heatwave as ‘Settimana infernale’ or the ‘Week of hell,’ as sweltering temperatures persist throughout the country.
In response to the extreme heatwave, the Italian health ministry has requested emergency rooms nationwide to activate ‘heat codes,’ where a specialized group of medical personnel will be assigned to attend to individuals presenting symptoms related to the heat.
Similar measures, akin to those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, were brought in at the beginning of 2020 when Italy was at the forefront of the crisis in Europe.
The health ministry has reported a significant 20% surge in the admission of patients displaying heat-related symptoms, such as dehydration, exhaustion, heat stroke, and confusion.