Smoke seen at Birmingham Airport from woodland fire
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The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
UK weather: Heath alerts continue as Met Office predicts weekend temperatures to hit 30C
Heat health alerts have been extended for much of the country as forecasters predict a hot and sunny weekend, with the summer's fourth heatwave set to continue. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said yellow warnings will be in place in Yorkshire and the Humber, the East and West Midlands, London, the South East, the South West and the East of England until 6pm on Monday. The warnings mean significant impacts on health and social care services are possible due to high temperatures, including a potential rise in deaths among the elderly or those with pre-existing health conditions. Temperatures are expected to peak at around 30C in parts of south-west England on Saturday and 29C on Sunday, according to the Met Office. The UK is currently in its fourth heatwave of the summer. Hot weather can only be classed as a heatwave if it meets a daily maximum temperature consistently for three days in a row. Saturday is forecast to be dry, settled and increasingly sunny, as low cloud gradually burns back to the east coast, the forecaster said. It will feel warm or hot in the sunshine later, though winds will strengthen in the far south-west. From Sunday to Tuesday, conditions will remain mostly settled and dry with plenty of warm sunshine, especially in the west. It comes as officials warned that the country is suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortfalls. The National Drought Group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, met this week to discuss the conditions. England is experiencing widespread environmental and agricultural impacts due to water scarcity, including lower crop yields, reduced feed for livestock, damage to wetlands and river wildlife, and an increased risk of wildfires. The UKHSA has advised people to stay hydrated, keep cool indoors where possible, and check on vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours. Meanwhile, firefighters travelled across the UK to help tackle the major wildfire at Holt Heath, Dorset, fuelling calls for increased firefighting resources. Ben Selby, Fire Brigades Union assistant general secretary, said services had undergone '14 years of austerity'. 'The loss of 1 in 5 firefighter posts to cuts, with fire engines taken off the run and fire stations closed up and down the country, means that there is no resilience left,' he said. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue estimated the blaze had burned through 72ha. Crews travelled from Merseyside, South Wales, Greater Manchester, Leicestershire, Surrey, Lincolnshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Avon, Essex and Kent among others, to assist local emergency services.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Summer trains misery with commuters facing ‘wrong soil' hell after clay under tracks dries up
RAIL commuters face 'wrong soil' hell after clay under tracks dried up so much that trains have to go slow. Services between parts of Essex and London will be hit for two to three months. Similar problems have affected the West Country after the driest spring since 1974. Infrastructure manager Network Rail said it had dropped 12,600 tons of ballast to minimise clay shrinkage on the Essex route in the past year. But this had not been enough to solve the problem. It said speed restrictions had been introduced 'to keep everyone moving safely'. One commuter said: 'I've heard of leaves on the line and the wrong type of snow. "Now the delays are due to the wrong type of soil.' Network Rail Anglia and c2c Railway, which run services across the network, apologised for the disruption. Buses will replace Greater Anglia trains for some late evening journeys on Mondays to Thursdays. Watch the shocking moment cow puts Irish Rail services to a HALT during morning rush 1
Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Telegraph
‘Uncontrollable' wildfires kill mayor in Portugal
A former mayor has been killed in 'uncontrollable' wildfires in Portugal as firefighters continue to fight huge blazes and searing temperatures scorch much of southern Europe. Nearly 4,000 firefighters have been deployed on several fire fronts in Portugal, with the government extending a state of alert until Sunday. The government in Lisbon made a formal request for assistance from the EU's civil protection mechanism, a firefighting force that can be called upon by countries in need The wildfires in Portugal claimed the life of Carlos Dâmaso, a former mayor of the town of Vila Franca do Deão. He died while helping to fight a blaze, officials said. He had been reported missing, and his body was found on Friday. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal's president, offered his 'heartfelt condolences'. Authorities warned the fires were out of control because of a lack of resources, with villages encircled by flames and firefighters hampered by strong winds. In Spain, Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister, said the country was at 'extreme risk' of new wildfires, particularly in the north and west. Firefighters were battling 14 major blazes across the country, where seven people have died as a result of the fires. A recent heat wave brought temperatures exceeding 40C (104F) and is expected to last all weekend. In the northern region of Galicia, several fires merged and forced the closure of roads. Rail services between Galicia and Madrid would remain suspended 'until further notice', transport officials said. Police arrested two men on suspicion of starting fires in Castille and León. Wildfires that have raged across Spain have so far this year burned 610 square miles – an area roughly as big as London. In Portugal, Spain and Italy, Friday was the Feast of the Assumption, a major Catholic holiday in which people flock to the beach and hold family gatherings. In the past week there have also been devastating fires in France, Bulgaria, Albania and Montenegro. In Greece, a wildfire burned out of control for a fourth day on the island of Chios, prompting the evacuation of more villages. Two water-dropping planes and two helicopters were operating in the north of the Aegean island, a popular tourist destination. Firefighters were given some respite with a lull in the high winds that had been spreading the flames. A firefighter was injured near the city of Patras after falling into a ravine while battling a blaze. He was rescued by colleagues and taken to hospital with injuries to his back and legs.
