On Tuesday, Portugal’s director of health warned that the country must brace itself to cope with the effects of climate change as temperatures continue to rise.
– Portugal is one of the areas on the globe that can be more affected by extreme heat, says Graça Freita Reuters.
Temperatures in the country exceeded 40 degrees last week. Although they have fallen in recent days, Freitas said they remained above normal levels for this time of year.
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Expect the death toll to rise
The Directorate of Health in Portugal reported 238 deaths from 7-13 July. Now Freitas says the death toll has risen to 1,063 from July 13 to July 18. This is as a result of the heat wave.
A researcher at the University of Lisbon said in an interview that it is probably elderly people who are going to die due to the heat wave.
Rødtopper gets its own heat wave offer
– It is expected that the increase in mortality will increase with the climate changes that are occurring. Therefore, we must take measures at public health level to minimize the risk of that happening, says Carlos Antunes, according to Reuters.
He added that the number of future deaths will depend on the preventive measures people take to protect themselves, how care homes look after their residents and the adaptation of infrastructure.
The heat waves last longer
Deadly forest fires have ravaged the continent. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that there is worse to come.
Heat waves have become more frequent and more intense, and last longer due to man-made climate change.
– In the future, this type of heat wave will be normal, and even worse than now, says WMO chief Peterri Taalas to BBC News.
Norwegians on holiday in London: – Exceptionally warm
Britain, which usually has a milder climate, had temperatures above 40 degrees for the first time.
In addition to the record temperatures in the UK, several fire services declared serious incidents following an increase in fires.
Biggest forest fires in 30 years
In France, soaring temperatures were recorded in 64 different areas on Monday.
Although the record has not yet been reached, some places in the country have experienced their biggest forest fires in over 30 years. Around 37,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes, writes BBC News.
The climate crisis: – Collective action or suicide
The weather forecast in Italy warns of temperatures of 40-42 degrees between Wednesday and Friday.
Several forest fires have already been reported in the country, and the fires that broke out on Monday evening in Tuscany were still raging on Tuesday afternoon.
A taste of Norway
In the coming days, several places in Norway will also experience southern temperatures.
Today it is reported to be very hot in several places, and East and Southern Norway in particular can enjoy temperatures of up to 30 degrees.
On-duty meteorologist Siri Wiberg at the Meteorological Institute says that one place in particular will be the weather winner in the coming days.
– Areas in the eastern mountains get the highest temperatures on Wednesday. Here we will probably see the 30s in several places – maybe above that as well, says Wiberg to Dagbladet on Tuesday evening.
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