Latest news with #Heatwaves
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Europe is hit by more weather extremes
Extreme weather is wreaking havoc across Europe, pushing emergency services to their limits as wildfires, heatwaves, and storms sweep across the continent. Blazes have erupted in Portugal, Greece , and Spain , while tornadoes have struck tourist hotspots in parts of Spain and Switzerland. Thousands of firefighters have been battling a dozen wildfires raging in northern Portugal and central Spain through the night and into Wednesday, in the largest wave of blazes in the Iberian Peninsula so far this year following weeks of summer heat. 'There was a huge effort during the night, so now we have a somewhat calmer situation,' Civil Protection Commander Helder Silva told reporters, cautioning that shifting strong winds and a difficult terrain meant their work was far from over. 'It's a very large wildfire in areas with difficult access,' he said. Further north, a blaze has been raging since Saturday in the Peneda-Geres national park near the Spanish border, enveloping nearby villages in thick smoke that led to orders for residents to stay at home. Portuguese firefighters managed to control two large fires that started on Monday in the central areas of Penamacor and Nisa. Authorities said the Penamacor blaze had destroyed 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) of forest. In Spain's central province of Avila, shifting gusts of wind hindered efforts by firefighters and a special military unit, emergency services said. Residents in the village of El Arenal, about 100 km (62 miles) west of Madrid, were advised to remain indoors due to heavy smoke. In Mombeltran near Avila, farmer Blas Rodriguez fought back tears as he walked among scorched trees, his olive grove devastated by the fire. 'This land belongs to my father. It burnt 16 years ago but the olive trees were spared from the fire... this time there is no way to save them, everything is completely burnt,' he told Reuters. In the western province of Caceres, the fire has affected 2,500 hectares, prompting evacuations from homes scattered across the Caminomorisco area, authorities said. Hot and dry summers are common across the region, but more intense heatwaves have contributed to destructive wildfires in recent years amid fast-rising temperatures around the globe. Meanwhile, in Greece a large wildfire is currently ripping through a forest area between Kanali and Monolithi in Preveza. The fire started at approximately 2pm local time (12.00 BST) and quickly grew. Shortly after the blaze erupted a 112 message was sent to residents of the area warning them to be alert and ready to evacuate if necessary. Residents have complained that emergency aircraft were slow to intervene, resulting in the fire growing in size and destroying a protected area, local media reports. Roughly 40 firefighters are working to tackle the blaze with, 16 vehicles, 4 aircraft and 1 helicopter at the scene. Water tankers and local government machinery are also helping to extinguish the blaze. Strong winds are reportedly blowing at the site, which makes the work of the Fire Department difficult. The fire has disrupted traffic on the National Highway from the Monolithi Junction to the intersection at Kanali. It isn't just wildfires wreaking havoc across Europe, but storms and tornadoes too. In Majorca, dramatic footage taken over the weekend shows a tornado striking a beach, sending sand and towels hurtling into the sky as tourists run for cover. Meanwhile, in the Alps, a sudden plunge in temperature caused snowfall overnight in Isère, Savoie and Haute-Savoie. And, in Switzerland on Tuesday, a fisherman captured a video of a spectacular waterspout spiralling high into the clouds over Lake Constance. It comes after raging wildfires engulfed Turkey outside the country's fourth-largest city - forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes. Flames ripped through the forested mountains surrounding Bursa city in northwest Turkey overnight on July 26, shining a threatening red glow on the night sky. It marks the latest city to be hit by deadly blazes this summer - as destinations in Greece and Cyprus have also fallen victim to aggressive wildfires amid unseasonably high temperatures. The governor's office in Bursa said more than 1,760 people were safely evacuated from villages to the northeast as more than 1,100 firefighters battled the flames. The highway linking Bursa to the capital, Ankara, was closed off as surrounding forests burned. Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the province, likened the scene to 'an apocalypse'. Turkey has been hit by dozens of wildfires every day since late June - with Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yamukli revealing fire crews across the country approached 76 separate blazes yesterday alone.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Wildfires break out in Portugal, Greece and Spain while tornadoes lash tourist hotspots as Europe is hit by more weather extremes
Extreme weather is wreaking havoc across Europe, pushing emergency services to their limits as wildfires, heatwaves, and storms sweep across the continent. Blazes have erupted in Portugal, Greece, and Spain, while tornadoes have struck tourist hotspots in parts of Spain and Switzerland. Thousands of firefighters have been battling a dozen wildfires raging in northern Portugal and central Spain through the night and into Wednesday, in the largest wave of blazes in the Iberian Peninsula so far this year following weeks of summer heat. The largest wildfire has been burning in the wooded, mountainous Arouca area - some 300 km (185 miles) north of Lisbon - since Monday, leading to the closure of the scenic trails of Passadicos do Paiva, a popular tourist attraction. Some 800 firefighters and seven waterbombing aircraft tackled the blaze. 'There was a huge effort during the night, so now we have a somewhat calmer situation,' Civil Protection Commander Helder Silva told reporters, cautioning that shifting strong winds and a difficult terrain meant their work was far from over. 'It's a very large wildfire in areas with difficult access,' he said. Further north, a blaze has been raging since Saturday in the Peneda-Geres national park near the Spanish border, enveloping nearby villages in thick smoke that led to orders for residents to stay at home. Portuguese firefighters managed to control two large fires that started on Monday in the central areas of Penamacor and Nisa. Authorities said the Penamacor blaze had destroyed 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) of forest. In Spain's central province of Avila, shifting gusts of wind hindered efforts by firefighters and a special military unit, emergency services said. Residents in the village of El Arenal, about 100 km (62 miles) west of Madrid, were advised to remain indoors due to heavy smoke. In Mombeltran near Avila, farmer Blas Rodriguez fought back tears as he walked among scorched trees, his olive grove devastated by the fire. 'This land belongs to my father. It burnt 16 years ago but the olive trees were spared from the fire... this time there is no way to save them, everything is completely burnt,' he told Reuters. In the western province of Caceres, the fire has affected 2,500 hectares, prompting evacuations from homes scattered across the Caminomorisco area, authorities said. Hot and dry summers are common across the region, but more intense heatwaves have contributed to destructive wildfires in recent years amid fast-rising temperatures around the globe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mallorca Viral (@mallorcaviral) It isn't just wildfires wreaking havoc across Europe, but storms and tornadoes too. In Majorca, dramatic footage shows a tornado striking a beach, sending sand and towels hurtling into the sky as tourists run for cover Raging wildfires engulfed Turkey outside the country's fourth-largest city - forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes. Pictured: An aerial view shows a nectarine orchard remaining green while the surrounding forest area lies scorched after a wildfire between the districts of Gursu and Kestel in Bursa, Turkey on July 30 Meanwhile, in Greece a large wildfire is currently ripping through a forest area between Kanali and Monolithi in Preveza. The fire started at approximately 2pm local time (12.00 BST) and quickly grew. Shortly after the blaze erupted a 112 message was sent to residents of the area warning them to be alert and ready to evacuate if necessary. Residents have complained that emergency aircraft were slow to intervene, resulting in the fire growing in size and destroying a protected area, local media reports. Roughly 40 firefighters are working to tackle the blaze with, 16 vehicles, 4 aircraft and 1 helicopter at the scene. Water tankers and local government machinery are also helping to extinguish the blaze. Strong winds are reportedly blowing at the site, which makes the work of the Fire Department difficult. The fire has disrupted traffic on the National Highway from the Monolithi Junction to the intersection at Kanali. It isn't just wildfires wreaking havoc across Europe, but storms and tornadoes too. In Majorca, dramatic footage taken over the weekend shows a tornado striking a beach, sending sand and towels hurtling into the sky as tourists run for cover. Meanwhile, in the Alps, a sudden plunge in temperature caused snowfall overnight in Isère, Savoie and Haute-Savoie. And, in Switzerland on Tuesday, a fisherman captured a video of a spectacular waterspout spiralling high into the clouds over Lake Constance. It comes after raging wildfires engulfed Turkey outside the country's fourth-largest city - forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes. Flames ripped through the forested mountains surrounding Bursa city in northwest Turkey overnight on July 26, shining a threatening red glow on the night sky. It marks the latest city to be hit by deadly blazes this summer - as destinations in Greece and Cyprus have also fallen victim to aggressive wildfires amid unseasonably high temperatures. The governor's office in Bursa said more than 1,760 people were safely evacuated from villages to the northeast as more than 1,100 firefighters battled the flames. The highway linking Bursa to the capital, Ankara, was closed off as surrounding forests burned. Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the province, likened the scene to 'an apocalypse'.
Sustainability Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- Sustainability Times
'Scientists Warn Everyone Makes This Deadly Heat Mistake': Proven Ineffective Cooling Habit Spreads Every Summer, Endangering Lives Across America
IN A NUTSHELL ❄️ Thermal shock from icy drinks can mislead the body, slowing down natural cooling processes like sweating. from icy drinks can mislead the body, slowing down natural cooling processes like sweating. 🌡️ Drinking room temperature or slightly cool water is recommended for effective thermal comfort. or slightly cool water is recommended for effective thermal comfort. 🔥 Consuming warm beverages can enhance perspiration, promoting a sustained cooling effect. can enhance perspiration, promoting a sustained cooling effect. 🥤 Avoiding very cold drinks can prevent digestive discomfort and energy loss during heatwaves. During scorching heatwaves, the instinct to reach for something cold can be overwhelming. Many of us find solace in icy showers or glasses brimming with ice cubes, believing these methods to be the ultimate remedies for heat-induced discomfort. However, science suggests otherwise, challenging our long-held beliefs about cooling off effectively. This article explores the misconceptions about staying cool in extreme heat and offers insights into more effective ways to maintain comfort during the sweltering summer months. The Misconception of Drinking Icy Beverages When temperatures soar, it's common to reach for a glass of ice-cold water, hoping for instant relief. This method appears effective at first glance, providing a fleeting sensation of coolness. However, the physiological reality tells a different story. The initial chill tricks our senses, but the body's response is more complex. When very cold water hits the stomach, it can create a thermal shock. This triggers the brain to signal a sudden drop in internal temperature, causing the body to halt its natural cooling process, primarily by slowing down sweating. Sweating is crucial for dissipating heat, and reducing it can hinder the body's ability to cool down effectively. Moreover, excessively cold drinks can lead to digestive issues. The abrupt cooling of the stomach causes nearby blood vessels to constrict, slowing digestion and increasing the risk of abdominal cramps. Instead of cooling down, the body uses precious energy to warm the chilled stomach, leading to discomfort and even higher perceived heat levels. Therefore, while it might seem counterintuitive, sticking to room temperature water or slightly cool drinks is more beneficial. 'This Drink Beats Water': Scientists Reveal the Shocking Hydration Power of This Unexpected Everyday Beverage Why Room Temperature or Warm Beverages Work Better Experts suggest that drinking water at room temperature is optimal for maintaining thermal comfort. Surprisingly, consuming warm beverages can also be advantageous. This practice is common in desert and dry climates, where inhabitants rely on warm drinks to combat heat. The reason is simple: warm liquids enhance perspiration, which in turn boosts the body's natural cooling mechanisms. As sweat evaporates, it removes heat from the body, leading to a more sustained feeling of coolness. While it might seem paradoxical, the act of drinking a warm beverage can trigger a more effective cooling response. This method supports the body's natural processes rather than working against them. By promoting sweat production, warm drinks allow for a more gradual and long-lasting cooling effect, making them a strategic choice during heatwaves. 'Carbon Transfer Achieved at Sea': Shanghai Stuns the World With First-Ever Ship-to-Ship CO2 Operation in Open Waters Understanding Thermal Shock and Its Implications Thermal shock, induced by icy drinks, disrupts the body's equilibrium. The sudden drop in stomach temperature sends a misleading signal to the brain, prompting the body to conserve heat rather than shed it. This reaction slows down sweating, the body's primary mechanism for cooling. The results can be counterproductive, as reduced sweating means less heat is expelled from the body. Moreover, the constriction of blood vessels around the cooled stomach can interfere with digestion, leading to discomfort and cramps. This process not only causes physical unease but also requires energy, as the body works to restore the stomach's temperature to normal. Understanding these reactions is crucial for adopting more effective strategies to stay cool, emphasizing the importance of aligning our actions with the body's natural responses. 'We've Never Faced Heat Like This': Meteorologists Warn of Historic Heatwave Set to Scorch the U.S. With Record-Breaking Temperatures Practical Tips for Staying Cool Given the insights into how the body responds to temperature changes, it's essential to adopt methods that enhance natural cooling. Opt for beverages at room temperature or slightly cool to avoid thermal shock. If you're adventurous, try a warm drink and experience its surprising cooling benefits over time. Additionally, focus on wearing lightweight, breathable clothing and staying in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Another effective strategy is to emphasize hydration using water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. These not only provide hydration but also deliver essential nutrients that support the body's functions during heat exposure. By understanding and leveraging the body's natural mechanisms, you can stay comfortable and safe during even the most intense heatwaves. Our instincts often guide us toward immediate relief, but understanding the body's responses can lead to more effective cooling strategies. Are you ready to rethink your approach to staying cool, embracing methods that work with your body's natural processes for better comfort in the heat? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (20)
