AT In Britain, a temperature above 40 degrees Celsius was measured for the first time since records were kept. A record 40.2 degrees was registered today at London’s Heathrow Airport, DPA and the Press Association reported, citing provisional official data.
Earlier in the day it was reported that 39.1 degrees were measured in Charlud.
The temperature in London reached almost 37 degrees by 11:00 local time
The previous UK temperature record was 38.7 degrees, measured on 25 July 2019 in Cambridge.
Heat in the Netherlands too
Temperatures rose to nearly 40 degrees in the Netherlands as well, and municipal authorities and the private sector in the country took emergency measures.
Authorities deployed snowplows that sprinkled certain roads with salt to lower the surface temperature. The explanation is that the salt draws moisture from the air, resulting in a cooling effect on the asphalt. Under such conditions, the asphalt can heat up to 50 degrees.
The Netherlands’ biggest supermarket chain has said it will not deliver groceries to customers’ homes to prevent its drivers from delivering groceries in the scorching sun. Customers expressed their displeasure on social media.
Many drawbridges in Amsterdam were water-cooled to reduce steel expansion from elevated temperatures and prevent locking. Bridges often have to be raised or swung to allow vessels to pass through the canals.
Drought in Italy
Meanwhile, Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana said on Tuesday that his region has almost run out of water for agriculture due to the severe drought that has affected Italy, especially the northern regions, Italian news agency ANSA reported.
“Unfortunately, we have reached a point where the water for agriculture is running out,” Fontana told a conference at the University of Pavia.
“Lake Maggiore, Garda and Como have reserves that can be used for agricultural purposes for a few days. The situation is very alarming. If it doesn’t rain in the next few days, it will be difficult to find water resources for agriculture,” Fontana explained.
Scientists say extreme weather events such as the heatwaves currently hitting many parts of Europe, storms, floods and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense due to human-caused climate change.
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