A staff member cools a toucan at the Pairi Daiza zoo in Brugelette, Belgium, July 18, 2022. As heat wave hit Belgium in recent days, the Pairi Daiza zoo in Belgium took additional measures to ensure the well-being of its over 7,000 animals. (Benoit Bouchez/Pairi Daiza/Handout via Xinhua)
BRUSSELS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Heatwaves engulfing western and southern Europe show no sign of abating. Temperature records are expected to renew in some countries and the scorching sun has claimed hundreds of lives and fueled ferocious wildfires.
Britain's national weather service (Met Office) has warned that the country may brace for its hottest day on record this week with temperatures tipped to hit a record 40 degrees Celsius at places.
The office has issued its first-ever red warning on extreme heat, reminding the public that the heat poses a risk of serious illness or even danger to life.
The current record high temperature in Britain is 38.7 degrees Celsius recorded in July 2019.
French daily news channel BFMTV on Monday reported that departments in western France remain under "extreme heat" warning, with temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius.
Spain's health ministry said on Monday that 510 people died from heat-related causes in the first week of a heatwave when the mercury reached 45 degrees Celcius in some parts of the country.
The heat is especially affecting the elderly, with 321 of the 510 victims aged 85 or above, 121 aged 75-84, and 44 aged 65-74.
Meanwhile, the heatwave disturbs living order and production. Britain's Met Office alerts the public to the risk of loss of power, water or mobile phone service, as well as traffic delays.
A recent report by the European Commission's Joint Research Center showed that almost half of the European Union's (EU) territory and Britain are at risk of drought in July. Drought conditions and water scarcity are affecting energy production and reducing crop yield.
The rare heatwave and drought also breed devastating wildfires in countries including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece.
The wildfires raging in southwestern France since July 12 have destroyed 14,000 hectares of land and displaced 16,200 people. About 1,700 firefighters are still trying to put out the fires but the heatwave and strong winds are working against them, BFMTV reported.
Wildfires in Spain have burnt more than 22,000 hectares of woodland and scrub in Spain during the heatwave, local emergency services said.
To curb the increased risk of severe wildfires, the EU is in talks with manufacturers to buy firefighting planes, according to media reports.
Climate change is leading to changes in extreme temperatures and in the number of heat waves around the world, said Corinne Le Quere, professor of Climate Change Science at Britain's University of East Anglia.
The expert called for more measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and for more comfortable temperatures in summer. ■
An orangutan enjoys frozen food at the Pairi Daiza zoo in Brugelette, Belgium, July 18, 2022. As heat wave hit Belgium in recent days, the Pairi Daiza zoo in Belgium took additional measures to ensure the well-being of its over 7,000 animals. (Benoit Bouchez/Pairi Daiza/Handout via Xinhua)
A gorilla enjoys frozen food at the Pairi Daiza zoo in Brugelette, Belgium, July 18, 2022. As heat wave hit Belgium in recent days, the Pairi Daiza zoo in Belgium took additional measures to ensure the well-being of its over 7,000 animals. (Benoit Bouchez/Pairi Daiza/Handout via Xinhua)
An otter licks frozen food at the Pairi Daiza zoo in Brugelette, Belgium, July 18, 2022. As heat wave hit Belgium in recent days, the Pairi Daiza zoo in Belgium took additional measures to ensure the well-being of its over 7,000 animals. (Benoit Bouchez/Pairi Daiza/Handout via Xinhua)
Photo taken on July 18, 2022 shows a view of Greenwich Park in London, Britain. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
Photo taken on July 18, 2022 shows a sign reminding people to stay hydrated in the heat at London Bridge Station in London, Britain. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
People walk in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
People enjoy themselves in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
A man sits in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
A woman walks in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
A woman walks with a trolley in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
A woman walks in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
People sit in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
Photo taken on July 18, 2022 shows a view of Greenwich Park in London, Britain. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
Photo taken on July 18, 2022 shows a sign reminding people to stay hydrated in the heat at London Bridge Station in London, Britain. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
People walk in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
People enjoy themselves in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
A man sits in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
A woman walks in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
A woman walks with a trolley in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
A woman walks in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
People sit in Greenwich Park in London, Britain, July 18, 2022. Much of the United Kingdom (UK) was gripped by scorching weather on Monday, with no respite from the sweltering heat forecast before the middle of this week. The authorities have warned of travel disruptions and suggested people work from home in the coming days. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
A man rides a bicycle through cool water spray in Budapest, Hungary, on July 19, 2022. The authorities in Hungary issued a Level 3 heat alert on Tuesday as the country is hit by a heat wave. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
People enjoy cool water spray in Budapest, Hungary, on July 19, 2022. The authorities in Hungary issued a Level 3 heat alert on Tuesday as the country is hit by a heat wave. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
People spend time in the shade by a lake in Budapest, Hungary, on July 19, 2022. The authorities in Hungary issued a Level 3 heat alert on Tuesday as the country is hit by a heat wave. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
People are seen on a rooftop garden in Budapest, Hungary, on July 19, 2022. The authorities in Hungary issued a Level 3 heat alert on Tuesday as the country is hit by a heat wave. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
