Our neighboring country Italy has been struggling with a heat wave for days. New records have already been set in some places – in Rome, the measurement was more than two degrees above the previous record. The south in particular suffers from the heat. The cities of Rome, Bologna and Florence are already on red.
The highest temperature ever recorded was measured in Rome on Tuesday with 42.9 degrees Celsius. That is a significant increase from the previous record, which was only set last year (see tweet). In Sicily it was up to 46.3 degrees Celsius, in Sardinia it was 42 degrees on Tuesday.
The major heat wave still has the Mediterranean region – including Spain and Greece – firmly in its grip. On Wednesday, the red alarm for heat will apply in 23 major Italian cities. In Florence and Bologna, for example, 37 to 39 degrees are expected. Even at an altitude of 1220 meters in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, temperatures above 30 degrees were reported.
Hospitals are preparing
The high temperatures disturb locals and tourists – especially those who are not used to it. Hospital emergency departments increased medical preparedness and promoted home care to reduce the number of patients in the emergency room. So far, a number of seniors suffering from acute dehydration have been treated. Those affected complained of heart and circulatory problems and breathing difficulties.
The authorities should also be more responsive to requests for health support, as required by the Italian Ministry of Health. Another consequence of the heat is that power consumption skyrockets. On Monday, consumption reached 56.67 gigawatts (GW), the highest level of 2023.
Heat wave continues
The African high pressure area responsible for the heat wave is named “Caronte”, after the mythological ferryman Charon to Hades. The high temperatures are likely to continue throughout the week. A year ago, a heat wave hit Europe with record values. Then and now, fire brigades in many countries were fighting persistent forest fires.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
