London:
A four-day warning of “extreme heat” came into effect on Thursday in parts of England and Wales, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius in another heat wave that could put pressure on water supplies and transport services.
The Met Office said its orange warning, the second most serious after red, will last until the end of Sunday, warning that people vulnerable to extreme heat could experience adverse health effects.
Temperatures are expected to peak at 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) on Friday and reach 36 degrees Celsius in some places on Saturday.
Much of England and Wales, plus eastern parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, are forecast to be “sunny and hot or very hot” on Thursday, the Met Office’s website revealed.
The warning follows Britain’s driest July since 1935, when temperatures soared above 40 degrees Celsius for the first time, bringing the effects of climate change back into the limelight.
Other European countries have also faced a scorching heat wave in recent weeks with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
During the July heat wave, Britain, which is less used to such high temperatures, suffered power outages, damage to airport runways and trackways and dozens of fires in London, where firefighters had their busiest week since World War II. experienced.
UK Environment Secretary George Eustice urged water companies on Wednesday to take precautions to protect water supplies and deal with the effects of the prolonged dry weather.
Several water companies have already imposed restrictions on water use, and supermarkets have limited sales of disposable barbecues that firefighters warn can light light to tinder-dry grass.
This week’s orange warning follows Britain’s first-ever red “Extreme Heat” warning in July.
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