Lisbon: Authorities in southern European countries have warned of the risk of wildfires after temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece. Meteorologists in these countries have cautioned that the severity of heatwaves could impact daily life, particularly for the elderly, children, and other vulnerable groups.
According to Oman News Agency, Portugal has issued a high alert in two-thirds of the country to combat extreme heat and wildfires, with temperatures expected to exceed 42 degrees Celsius. In Italy, the Ministry of Health has issued a red alert in 21 of the 27 cities, including Rome, Milan, and Naples, due to the rising temperatures.
In Greece, emergency measures were enacted to prevent wildfires after a large blaze erupted south of Athens last Thursday. Authorities evacuated residents and closed roads as strong winds contributed to the spread of the flames and damage to homes.
In southern Spain, temperatures have surpassed seasonal averages, prompting authorities to issue public health and safety warnings. Experts warn that such extreme weather events are occurring with increasing frequency in southern Europe, amid clear signs of the worsening effects of climate change.