WHO Labels Europe’s Heatwave a ‘Health Emergency’ Amid Record Temperatures

Europe is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave that has placed several countries under severe weather pressure, with the World Health Organization (WHO) describing the situation as a "health emergency." According to an Adnkronos report, Italy is set to expand its red heat alerts on Wednesday as temperatures continue to rise. France officially recorded its hottest day since temperature monitoring began in 1947. At 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the national thermal index reached 29.6 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 29.4 degrees Celsius, which was recorded on July 25, 2019, and also during the historic heatwave on August 5, 2003. France's national weather service, Météo-France, has warned that temperatures are expected to worsen in the coming hours. Since June 18, 40 drowning-related deaths have been reported, including several young people who were attempting to escape the intense heat by entering water bodies. Spain is also facing critical weather conditions. The country's meteorological agency, AEMET, has issued a red alert for Andalusia, where temperatures are forecast to reach 44 degrees Celsius. Warnings have also been issued for parts of Cantabria and the Basque Country, where temperatures are expected to climb to 40 degrees Celsius. In the United Kingdom, the Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for central and southern England, forecasting temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius. The extreme heat has prompted several schools to suspend educational activities. "Heat is no longer just a meteorological issue. It is a health emergency," warned WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge in a post on X. He cautioned that rising temperatures pose increasing risks to public health. Kluge stressed that governments already know how to reduce the impact of extreme heat by issuing timely public warnings, cooling urban areas, ensuring access to drinking water and shaded spaces, closely monitoring vulnerable populations, and preparing healthcare systems before temperatures reach their peak. These practical measures are outlined in WHO Europe's newly published guidance on heat and health action plans. Authorities explained that cities placed under Level 3 Red Alert, the highest warning category, face emergency conditions that can negatively affect not only vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children and people with chronic illnesses, but also healthy and active individuals. Weather experts said that after the influence of the Cerberus anticyclone, atmospheric pressure is expected to strengthen further in the coming days with the arrival of the African anticyclone Charon. The system is forecast to become one of the most intense and persistent high-pressure formations ever recorded in June, affecting at least half of Europe.