Temperatures above 40°C are intensifying health concerns and wildfire risks across the country as the Mediterranean continues to warm.
Image: Euronews.com
Italy is experiencing the peak of its fourth major heat wave of the summer, with authorities issuing red alerts in a record 25 cities as temperatures climb above 40°C in several regions.
The extreme heat has affected major urban centres from Rome and Florence to Naples and Palermo, prompting health officials to warn elderly residents, children and other vulnerable groups to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure.
Emergency services are also on high alert as hot, dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires, particularly in southern Italy and on the country’s islands, where firefighters have already been battling multiple blazes.
Meteorologists say the unusually warm Mediterranean Sea is helping fuel the prolonged heat, reducing nighttime cooling and making the heat wave more intense and persistent.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that human-driven climate change is increasing the frequency, duration and severity of heat waves across southern Europe, with Mediterranean countries among the regions considered especially vulnerable to extreme summer temperatures.
Authorities are urging residents to stay hydrated, limit travel during the hottest hours and follow civil protection guidance as the severe heat is expected to continue affecting much of Italy in the coming days.
