Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: A punishing heatwave sweeping across much of Europe prompted a partial alcohol ban in France, nationwide warnings in Germany and the closure of a soccer fan zone in Spain, as temperatures climbed towards record levels.
France was expecting 35 of its 96 departments or regions to declare a red heatwave alert last week with temperatures of 39 to 40 degrees Celsius (102-104 Fahrenheit) expected from the southwest through the Paris region into Burgundy, with some areas possibly reaching 41C.
Authorities in Paris ordered parks to remain open around the clock.
Heat alerts were declared in most of Germany, with temperatures approaching 38C. The DWD weather service warned that a combination of heat and humidity could trigger severe thunderstorms.
Beyond the Alps, temperatures expected to reach 36–37C were transforming daily life and tourism in some Italian towns.
Visitors queued under a blazing sun outside the Colosseum as Rome’s summer heat turned sightseeing into a test of endurance. Some sought relief in the cooler underground spaces beneath the half-hidden remains of the Temple of Claudius.
In Spain, the football federation decided to close the fan zone it has set up with giant screens in Madrid’s Plaza de Colon square.
Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and intense across Europe, raising the risk of health emergencies and economic disruption during the summer months.
