Italy issues highest heat warning for all its major cities - Sarmad

The Italian government issued its highest heat alert, a “red alert,” for all 27 of its major cities monitored by the Italian Ministry of Health, as temperatures continue to exceed 35 degrees Celsius.

The government in Rome issued a red warning when extreme heat combined with high humidity. This means that significant health risks are not limited to the elderly, but also affect healthy individuals and those engaging in physical activity.

The alert level currently applies across the country, from Bolzano in South Tyrol in the north to Palermo in Sicily in the Mediterranean.

The red warning indicates the potential for a health emergency, as prolonged high temperatures pose a serious health risk to all residents, including young and healthy people.

Local authorities in affected areas have urged residents to avoid exposure to heat and direct sunlight between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., stay indoors as much as possible, and drink plenty of fluids.

Temperatures are expected to rise above 35 degrees Celsius on Thursday in many regions. In cities such as Florence in Tuscany and the capital Rome, meteorologists predict temperatures will exceed 40 degrees.

Meteorologists say this heat wave is fueled by a high-pressure system originating from North Africa, which intensified over the Mediterranean and spread across large parts of Europe.

The ongoing heat and drought are also affecting Italy’s rivers and lakes. Authorities have recorded water levels dropping more than usual for this time of year at all monitoring stations along the Po River.