A heatwave is worsening in Europe and Britain is bracing for the highest temperatures in its history

London.- Thermometers continued to rise in Western Europe this Monday Record heat is expected in France and EnglandAs firefighters continue their fight Fires in Spain and Portugal.

Europe’s second heatwave in less than a month, in a full summer tourism campaign. For scientists, the proliferation of these phenomena A direct effect of climate change.

“A particularly intense heat is expected, not a typical summer heat wave,” François Gourand, a meteorologist at Météo France, told AFP. Western France remains on “red alert”.

Temperatures in most parts of the country may range from 38ºC to 40ºC and according to this weather service, “Parts of the South West” could experience a “heat disaster” of up to 44ºC.

Across the English Channel, England braces for thermal records as well. The mercury may cross 40ºC for the first time in history on Tuesday. Current record 38.7ºC on July 25, 2019.

“Hotter than the Sahara,” was the tabloid headline on Monday the sun. Schools across the UK were closed, and many train companies called for no travel on Monday and Tuesday due to heatstroke..

“We strongly advise our customers in England and Wales to only travel if absolutely necessary,” Network Rail spokesman Jack Kelly told the station. BBC Radio 4.

British officials decreed The highest warning level, 4, because even young and healthy people are at risk of running. It’s a good idea to hydrate yourself, avoid sun exposure, and keep an eye on vulnerable people.

Some factories also extended opening hoursTo prevent workers from getting sick doing hot work like welding.

A major zoo, Chester Zoo, said it would close for two days, while London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo said many animals could be removed to “cold zones” and some exhibits closed.

“Tough 48 Hours”Kit Malthouse, minister responsible for government integration, told the radio BBC.

The official added The government was prepared for severe weather And I will try to learn from him.

“We need to review the way we build buildings, the way we operate and some of our infrastructure in light of the increasing frequency of these types of events,” he said.

Recommendations are not trivial. A heat wave has already claimed its toll as it passes through Spain over the weekendIt reached 43.4ºC in Don Benito near Badajoz in the west of the country.

On Sunday, a 50-year-old man died of heat stroke in Torrejon de Artos., on the outskirts of Madrid. A day ago, A 60-year-old cleaner died in the capital due to the same reasonAccording to local authorities.

The heat wave also caused fires in Spain Death of a Shepherd in Zamora Province, Northwest, local officials announced Monday. evening, A firefighter died in the area.

Firefighters have been battling dozens of blazes on the Iberian Peninsula for days. In Spain, according to President Pedro Sánchez of the Spanish government, Fires have destroyed 70,000 hectares since the start of this year, “almost double the average for the last decade”..

In neighboring Portugal, About 800 firefighters were battling four active blazes in the center and north on Monday.But the Civil Defense has assessed the situation as favorable due to the drop in temperature.

After breaking its temperature record for July on Thursday, the north recorded 47ºC, which is expected Portugal is living cold this MondayMore than a week of heat wave has come to an end.

In France, emergency teams are also working to put out the fire. Two large fires burned in a week 14,000 hectares of vegetation in the south-west of FranceNear Bordeaux.

“We’re going to have a difficult day because of the temperature and the change in wind direction,” warned Marc Vermeulen, director of the fire department in the tourist town of La Teste-de-Buch. Monday.

Scientists believe that multiplication of Heat waves are a direct result of global warming. The intensity, duration and frequency of greenhouse gas emissions will increase.

According to the European Commission, Almost half of the European Union’s (EU) land area is “at risk” of drought.

“Climate change is killing people (…), it’s also killing our ecosystem,” the president of the Spanish government said during a visit to the fire-ravaged region of Extremadura in the west.

According to Courant from Meteo France, the issue of climate change is “advancing in society” due to the severity of these events. “The time has come for people to become increasingly aware (…) and take political action,” he added.

The British government was accused on Sunday of ignoring the situation Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not attend the emergency meeting And his justice minister, Dominic Raab, is delighted to see the mercury surpass 40ºC for the first time.

AFP and Reuters agencies