Europe melts in 43C heatwave as rivers dry up in Italy

Europe melts in 43C (110F) heatwave as rivers dry up in drought-hit Italy while Portugal and Spain battle raging wildfires

• Italy’s drought and high temperatures running at 34C (93F) has led to the Serchio river in Tuscany drying up 
• Spaniards have also seen extreme heat for the second time in as many months with mercury at 43C (110F)
• Portugal sent more than 3,000 firefighters and over 60 aircraft to battle wildfires triggered by the heatwave

Europe is suffering as temperatures soar to over 43C (110F) causing a drought in Italy as well as sparking wildfires in Portugal and Spain.

The continent is baking in extreme temperatures as even the stereotypical British summer rain is upended by mercury of over 31C (88F).

Italy’s 45 per cent drop in rainfall combined with the high temperatures running at 34C (93F) has led to the Serchio river in Tuscany drying up.

The sight is striking as the Serchio is one of the prime rivers of the Tuscany region with coming days set to see temperature climb even further to 38C (104F).

ITALY: A 45 per cent drop in rainfall combined with the high temperatures running at 34C () has led to the Serchio river in Tuscany drying up (Left: November 2021, Right: July 2022)

ITALY: A view of the La Maddalena bridge over the Serchio river, near Lucca, Tuscany today after it ran dry (right) and when the river was in full flow (left)

ITALY: The river bed was in full display as Italy suffers one of its worst ever droughts

ITALY: An aerial view shows a bridge over low levels of the Po River in the area of the municipality of Ficarolo, in the region of Veneto, where water is rationed amid the worst drought to affect northern Italy’s rivers in 70 years

ITALY: . Italy declared a state of emergency in five northern regions and announced emergency funds on July 4 over a worsening drought that has plagued the Po Valley in recent weeks

ITALY: Italy is experiencing its hottest ever year in 2022 and is suffering in its most severe drought for over 70 years

The World Meterological Office released this map showing that ‘another heatwave is building in Western Europe, spreading from Spain and Portugal to France and other countries, exacerbating drought and risk of wildfires’

Italy is experiencing its hottest ever year and is in a severe drought.

Spaniards have also seen extreme heat and have been seen staying in the shade in parks, headed for the beach or sipped iced drinks to tackle mercury as high as 43C (110F).

A fire in the southwest of Spain led authorities to evacuate 30 people from homes as a precaution.

Some 115 firefighters backed by helicopters and planes were deployed to that fire near the village of El Ronquillo.

The country is in its second heatwave this year after recording its earliest ever heatwave in June this year – with temperatures surpassing 40F in parts of central and southern Spain.

Warm summer sunshine combined with a hot air front from North Africa have sent temperatures soaring, state metereological forecasters AEMET said on Sunday, and the heatwave could last until July 14.

The highest recorded temperature on Sunday was 43C (110F) by the Guadalquivir river near Seville in southern Spain and in Badajoz, towards the west of the country, forecasters said.

For Rasha, 45, a Syrian health executive who lives in Abu Dhabi, the heatwave was an unwelcome surprise on holiday.

‘It’s not as enjoyable as we would like it to be on a holiday but it is what it is. But compared to the desert it is not that bad,’ she told Reuters.

PORTUGAL: Portugal has been hit by a heat wave that prompted the government to declare a ‘state of contingency’ over raging wildfires 

PORTUGAL: More than 3,000 firefighters and over 60 aircraft battled wildfires today in Portugal that authorities say have injured 29 people

PORTUGAL: The EU nation’s government said it has deployed 60 aircraft to support its ground crews in tackling the blazes

PORTUGAL: Thousands of firefighters are working to put out blazes that have been ravaging the country amid high temperatures

PORTUGAL: A residential area during a forest fire in Canecas, outskirts of Lisbon, Portugal, July 10

PORTUGAL: Residents flocked to the beach at Carcavelos, outside Lisbon while trying to enjoy the extreme temperatures

PORTUGAL: The European Union on Sunday activated its firefighting air fleet assistance program that allows member nations to share resources to help

Lazaro Cun, 37, a builder from Guatemala, stayed in the shade in Madrid’s Casa de Campo Park to escape the heat.

‘It is hot but at least with a breeze you feel better,’ he said.

AEMET spokesman Ruben del Campo told Reuters that temperatures could touch 44C in Corboda or Extremadura in southern Spain.

‘They could also reach 42C in parts of (central Spain) like Castille and Leon and Galicia (in central and western Spain) on Tuesday and Wednesday.’

Del Campo advised people to avoid excessive physical activity, to take care of elderly people with conditions which meant they were sensitive to high temperatures, and to drink plenty of water.

Spain is not the only country suffering with wildfires as neighbours Portugal sent more than 3,000 firefighters and over 60 aircraft to battle wildfires yesterday that authorities say have injured 29 people.

SPAIN: AEMET spokesman Ruben del Campo told Reuters that temperatures could touch 44C in Corboda or Extremadura in southern Spain

SPAIN: The country is in its second heatwave this year after recording its earliest ever heatwave in June this year – with temperatures surpassing 40F in parts of central and southern Spain

SPAIN: Spaniards have also seen extreme heat and have been seen staying in the shade in parks, headed for the beach or sipped iced drinks to tackle mercury as high as 43C (110F)

SPAIN: Warm summer sunshine combined with a hot air front from North Africa have sent temperatures soaring, state metereological forecasters AEMET said on Sunday, and the heatwave could last until July 14

Authorities said 12 firefighters and 17 civilians required medical assistance to treat minor injuries caused by the blazes.

The European Union on Sunday activated its firefighting air fleet assistance program that allows member nations to share resources to help Portugal.

Portugal’s government said it has deployed 60 aircraft to support its ground crews.

Portugal has long suffered large, and sometimes tragic, forest fires. In 2017, out-of-control wildfires killed more than 100 people.

The European Union says climate change has the continent facing one of its hardest years for natural disasters such as droughts and wildfires.

Portugal’s capital Lisbon will see temperatures of over 37C tomorrow.

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