VARIOUS: While southern Europe suffers from the heat, the UK has to declare 'land under' water
Record ID:
333126
VARIOUS: While southern Europe suffers from the heat, the UK has to declare 'land under' water
- Title: VARIOUS: While southern Europe suffers from the heat, the UK has to declare 'land under' water
- Date: 26th June 2007
- Summary: PIGEON DRINKING FROM FOUNTAIN
- Embargoed: 11th July 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Weather
- Reuters ID: LVAC4F1PXS4TLHWYUYH1AY93YA1K
- Story Text: Southern Europe is suffering from one of the hottest June on record as two people die in a heatwave in Greece, where temperatures have soared to 46 degrees Celsius (114.8 Fahrenheit), and temperatures in Italy reach 40 degrees Celsius. However, northern Europe is enduring grey skies and rain, with Britain being one of the worst hit.
While parts of southern Europe experience what is set to be the warmest June in years, summer downpours flood parts of Britain.
Two people died in Greece on Monday as a heatwave sent temperatures soaring to 46 degrees Celsius (114.8 Fahrenheit) in what is set to be the hottest June ever recorded.
Greek government officials said the two died from complications from heatstroke, and emergency services in Athens responded to about 16 calls from people affected by the heat.
The government ordered all public services to close at midday for the next two days, as meteorologists said Tuesday (June 26) was expected to be the hottest day of the heatwave and to reach record levels unseen for decades.
Hospitals and emergency services were in a state of alert while the country's public power company was also taking measures against an electricity blackout as power consumption from air conditioners reached record levels. Short disruptions of power were reported in Athens.
Across the country, municipalities opened air-conditioned shelters for the elderly, and authorities advised residents to stay indoors, consume water, and avoid using electrical appliances.
On Monday the streets of major cities such as Athens were virtually empty as residents heeded the advice and stayed indoors. Most residents headed to the beach after their work shifts.
Record temperatures hit also southern Italy, passing 40 degrees Celsius in many areas.
High temperatures along with a strong south-westerly wind fanned fires which spread through forest areas in Sicily.
Firefighters had to call in water-carrying planes and helicopter intervention to battle fires raging in the hills around the Sicilian capital of Palermo.
But while temperature soared in southern Europe, homes were flooded, roads submerged and rivers rose to dangerously high levels in the United Kingdom on Monday (June 25) as torrential rain and strong winds lashed many areas.
Wimbledon in southwest London was disrupted on the opening day before a ball was hit, while poor weather forced a helicopter bringing Dame Shirley Bassey back from Glastonbury to make an emergency landing in a school's grounds in Camberley, Surrey.
Severe weather warnings have been issued by the weather office for areas across the north and the Midlands as well as Wales.
Homes in Devon, Humberside, South Yorkshire and Gloustershire in particular were struggling to cope after the rain while motorists had to abandon cars when many roads in Yorkshire became impassable.
But the Met Office said the weather should improve on Tuesday (June 26), with scattered showers restricted to the north and east of England. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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