WEATHER-SWITZERLAND/HEATWAVE Swiss take to the water as temperatures soar

Record ID: 148819

  • Title: WEATHER-SWITZERLAND/HEATWAVE Swiss take to the water as temperatures soar
  • Date: 1st July 2015
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF SWISS MAP WITH TEMPERATURE LEVELS
  • Embargoed: 16th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Switzerland
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA8HPZ88WFYORXZHHZAFF7LJZZ4
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: As temperatures were expected to hit 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) in Geneva on Wednesday (July 1), the Swiss took to the water to cool off.
    Whether in pedal boats or kayaks or simply bathing in the water, hundreds of residents rushed to Geneva's Lake Leman.
    "I preferred the lake to the pool. And at least it is free and we can stay, there is no time limit," said one Geneva resident, Johan.
    As children frolicked in the water jets in front of the Palais des Nations, one father said he was keeping a watchful eye on his son by making sure he stayed hydrated.
    "I give him a lot of water, and also liquid like yogurts, things like that. And lots of water," said Sam.
    Tens of thousands of people died across Europe in a 2003 heatwave and again in Russia in 2010.
    The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned of the dangers posed by hot weather?, especially to children and the elderly as much of Europe sweltered in a heatwave whose intensity it blamed on climate change.
    "When you look at the pattern here in Europe in the last 10 or 15 years - 2003, 2010 and 2015 - we're seeing temperatures that set records on the 500 year return period. So, it's quiet unusual to have this many hot episodes so close, so frequently and occurring so close to each other," said Maxx Dilley, Director of World Meteorological Organisation's Climate Prediction and Adaptation Branch.
    Separately, AccuWeather said that while extreme heat has already built up across Spain and Portugal, hot conditions will expand across Europe this week.
    Young children, the elderly and people working outside were most vulnerable to the effects, which range from heat rash to cramps, exhaustion, dehydration, heatstroke and death, the U.N. guidance said, urging people to take precautions.
    Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense as a result of climate change, the United Nations said. Cities particularly were heating up as buildings trapped hot air.
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