Southern Europe Suffers from Abnormal Temperatures of over 40°C

The Italian Ministry of Health issued a severe heat warning in 12 cities on Tuesday as a wave of hot air from Africa hit Southern Europe and the Balkans.

This was reported by Associated Press.

Temperatures in Italy have risen above 40 degrees Celsius, and the worst is expected to be yet to come.

At the same time, Croatia reported the highest temperature in the Adriatic Sea on record: the thermometer reached almost 30°C in the country's most popular tourist city, Dubrovnik.

In Serbia, the state power company reported record electricity consumption on Tuesday due to the use of air conditioning.

Municipal authorities in several southern European and Balkan cities have taken measures to take care of the elderly.

In Greece, municipalities have set aside special air-conditioned areas for citizens. Certain types of outdoor work, such as manual labour, delivery and construction, are prohibited during the hottest times of the day.

Spain's National Meteorological Service has reported that thermometers could reach 44 degrees Celsius in the southern Guadalquivir River basin in the coming days.

In Albania, where temperatures are expected to reach 42°C, a 72-year-old man was found dead on his farm 200 kilometres from the capital Tirana. The cause of death is believed to be the heat.

In Tirana itself, the streets and cafes are almost empty. The few people who have gone out are using umbrellas for shade.

High temperatures and winds have fanned forest fires from south to north in recent weeks.

The municipality of Istanbul, Turkey, issued a heat warning on Tuesday, advising residents - especially the elderly, pregnant women, children and those with health problems - to avoid going outside between 10:00 and 16:00. The warning states that temperatures in Istanbul are expected to remain 3-6 degrees above the seasonal norm until 28 July. Residents are advised to drink plenty of fluids and choose light or cotton clothing.

This is the second time this month that North Macedonia has faced a heatwave. The air temperature here rises to 42°C. Since the beginning of the month, about 200 forest fires have been raging in the country. The government has declared a month-long state of crisis.

In Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia, the temperature has been at 40°C for two weeks now.

Romania and neighbouring Moldova have also been gripped by intense heat over the past week, with temperatures in both capitals, Bucharest and Chisinau, exceeding 40°C this week.

Much of Greece is also suffocating in a heatwave that is expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius.