Europe bakes in summer's first heatwave as continent warms
MARSEILLES: Sweating Europeans braced on Saturday for the first heatwave of the northern hemisphere summer, as climate change pushes the world's fastest-warming continent's thermometers increasingly into the red.
Temperatures are set to rise to 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) in Rome, driving the Eternal City's many tourists and Catholic pilgrims to the Vatican alike toward the Italian capital's some 2,500 public fountains for refreshment.
With residents of the southern port city of Marseille expected to have to cope with temperatures flirting with 40C (104F), authorities in France's second-largest city ordered public swimming pools to be made free of charge to help residents beat the Mediterranean heat.
Two-thirds of Portugal will be on high alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires with 42C (108F) expected in the capital Lisbon, while visitors to — and protesters against — Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos's Friday wedding in Venice likewise sweltered under the summer sun.
'I try not to think about it, but I drink a lot of water and never stay still, because that's when you get sunstroke,' Sriane Mina, an Italian student, told AFPTV on Friday in Venice.
Meanwhile Spain, which has in past years seen a series of deadly summer blazes ravaging the Iberian peninsula, is expecting peak temperatures in excess of 40C (104F) across most of the country from Sunday.
Scientists have long warned that humanity's burning of fossil fuels is heating up the world with disastrous consequences for the environment, with Europe's ever-hotter and increasingly common blistering summer heatwaves a direct result of that warming.
With peaks of 39C (102F) expected in Naples and Palermo, Sicily has ordered a ban on outdoor work in the hottest hours of the day, as has the Liguria region in northern Italy.
The country's trade unions are campaigning to extend the measure to other parts of the country.
The heatwave comes hot on the heels of a series of tumbling records for extreme heat, including Europe's hottest March ever, according to the EU's Copernicus climate monitor.
As a result of the planet's warming, extreme weather events including hurricanes, droughts, floods and heatwaves like this weekend's have become more frequent and intense, scientists warn.
By some estimates 2024, the hottest year in recorded history so far, saw worldwide disasters which cost more than $300 billion.
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Arab News
7 hours ago
- Arab News
Europe bakes in summer's first heatwave as continent warms
MARSEILLES: Sweating Europeans braced on Saturday for the first heatwave of the northern hemisphere summer, as climate change pushes the world's fastest-warming continent's thermometers increasingly into the red. Temperatures are set to rise to 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) in Rome, driving the Eternal City's many tourists and Catholic pilgrims to the Vatican alike toward the Italian capital's some 2,500 public fountains for refreshment. With residents of the southern port city of Marseille expected to have to cope with temperatures flirting with 40C (104F), authorities in France's second-largest city ordered public swimming pools to be made free of charge to help residents beat the Mediterranean heat. Two-thirds of Portugal will be on high alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires with 42C (108F) expected in the capital Lisbon, while visitors to — and protesters against — Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos's Friday wedding in Venice likewise sweltered under the summer sun. 'I try not to think about it, but I drink a lot of water and never stay still, because that's when you get sunstroke,' Sriane Mina, an Italian student, told AFPTV on Friday in Venice. Meanwhile Spain, which has in past years seen a series of deadly summer blazes ravaging the Iberian peninsula, is expecting peak temperatures in excess of 40C (104F) across most of the country from Sunday. Scientists have long warned that humanity's burning of fossil fuels is heating up the world with disastrous consequences for the environment, with Europe's ever-hotter and increasingly common blistering summer heatwaves a direct result of that warming. With peaks of 39C (102F) expected in Naples and Palermo, Sicily has ordered a ban on outdoor work in the hottest hours of the day, as has the Liguria region in northern Italy. The country's trade unions are campaigning to extend the measure to other parts of the country. The heatwave comes hot on the heels of a series of tumbling records for extreme heat, including Europe's hottest March ever, according to the EU's Copernicus climate monitor. As a result of the planet's warming, extreme weather events including hurricanes, droughts, floods and heatwaves like this weekend's have become more frequent and intense, scientists warn. By some estimates 2024, the hottest year in recorded history so far, saw worldwide disasters which cost more than $300 billion.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Flash floods in Pakistan kill at least 7 and sweep away dozens of tourists
PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Flash floods triggered by pre-monsoon rains swept away dozens of tourists in northwest Pakistan on Friday, killing at least seven people. The nationwide death toll from rain-related incidents rose to 17 over the past 24 hours, officials said. Nearly 100 rescuers in various groups were searching for the missing tourists who were swept away while picnicking along the Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said Shah Fahad, a spokesman for the provincial emergency service. He said 16 members from the same family were among the dead or missing. Fahad said divers had so far rescued seven people and recovered seven bodies after hours-long efforts and the search continued for the remaining victims. Videos circulating on social media showed about a dozen people stranded on a slightly elevated spot in the middle of the Swat River, crying for help amid rapidly rising floodwaters. Fahad urged the public to adhere strictly to earlier government warnings about possible flash flooding in the Swat River, which runs through the scenic Swat Valley – a popular summer destination for tens of thousands of tourists who visit the region in summer and winter alike. Elsewhere, at least 10 people were killed in rain-related incidents in eastern Punjab and southern Sindh provinces over the past 24 hours, according to rescue officials. Weather forecasters say rains will continue this week. Pakistan's annual monsoon season runs from July through September. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the deaths of the tourists swept away by the floods in the Swat River. In a statement, he directed authorities to strengthen safety measures near rivers and streams. Heavy rains have battered parts of Pakistan since earlier this week, blocking highways and damaging homes. Still, weather forecasters say the country will receive less rain compared with 2022 when the climate-induced downpour swelled rivers and inundated one-third of Pakistan at one point , killing 1,739.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
Italy issues red alert for intense heat across 21 Italian cities
Italy's health ministry warned residents and tourists on Friday of soaring temperatures across the country, issuing a red alert for 21 cities this weekend. The ministry issued its top red alert for cities including the capital Rome, economic powerhouse Milan and Venice -- where the rich and famous are celebrating the wedding of Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos. It said temperatures could rise to 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) in places. The ministry -- which publishes green, yellow, orange and red heatwave warnings daily for 27 large Italian cities -- advised people not to go outdoors between 11am and 6pm if possible, and seek shelter in airconditioned public places. In Venice, the temperature was set to hit 32C on Saturday -- when Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are expected to be throwing a dance party starring Lady Gaga -- but feel like around 36C due to humidity. In Florence, which was already on red alert on Friday, the temperature is forecast to reach 37C on Saturday, while it will go up to 36C on Sunday in the Rome, Milan and Naples. The warnings follow days of hot weather across the country, including the capital, where holidaymakers have been fined for attempting to cool off in fountains in the historic center. The city has put ambulances and medics on standby at busy sites such as the Colosseum, a popular draw for tourists despite the heatwave. Scientists say extreme heatwaves are a clear sign of global warming and are expected to become more frequent, longer and more intense. Fueled by human-caused climate change, 2024 was the warmest year on record globally and 2025 is projected to rank among the top three.
