Scorching heatwave sweeps western Europe sparking wildfires. Image: Samaa Tv.
(The Post News)– A severe heatwave is gripping Western Europe, sparking wildfires in Turkey and France and forcing mass evacuations and health warnings. More than 50,000 people have been evacuated in Turkey, while fires continue to rage in the western province of Izmir.
The heatwave is causing temperatures to soar to unprecedented levels, with some areas experiencing temperatures 5-10 degrees Celsius above normal for this time of year. According to Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, these extreme heat conditions are typically seen in July or August, not June.
The heatwave is not just limited to Turkey and France but is also affecting other parts of Europe, including Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands. People are struggling to cope with the sweltering heat, whether they’re watching tennis at Wimbledon or visiting famous landmarks like the Colosseum in Rome.
The heatwave is expected to peak in France on Tuesday and Wednesday, with 84 departments placed on orange heatwave alert. In France, wildfires have already burned 400 hectares in the southwestern region, forcing evacuations and causing concern. Meanwhile, tourists and locals alike are trying to stay cool and safe in the extreme heat.
“I feel like I’m in a different climate,” said Scott Henderson, a tennis fan from Scotland who was queuing at Wimbledon. “It’s about 20 degrees warmer than I’m used to, and I’m sunburned all over.” His experience is just one example of how the heatwave is affecting people across Europe.
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