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Heatwave sweeps across Europe as temperatures look set to reach 36C in the UK today UK heatwave claims first lives as two men drown while swimming in Cumbria and Suffolk
(about 3 hours later)
Governments across Europe – including Britain – have issued health warnings as a heatwave sweeps through the continent, with today being the hottest July 1 in nine years. Two people have drowned while trying to cool off in rivers and reservoirs as a heatwave sweeps the UK.
Portugal, Spain and France could see temperatures above 40C (104F) with the UK set to see the mercury hit almost 36C (97F) in some parts, making it hotter than Rio De Janeiro, Ibiza and Lanzarote. Today is officially the hottest day in almost a decade as sweltering temperatures near 35C, bringing travel disruption and health warnings across the country.
The high temperatures are being caused by a mass of hot air flowing north from Africa over recent days and the hot weather looks set to last until the end of this week across Britain. The emergency services have issued an appeal for people to exercise extreme caution while swimming outside after two people died yesterday. The Met Office said the heatwave was peaking on Wednesday, with 35C expected in places
Now, health officials across the country are urging vulnerable groups – including the elderly, young children and people with breathing difficulties – to stay cool, drink plenty of water and, if possible, remain indoors today between 11am-3pm. In Cumbria, a man in his 30s was found dead in the early hours of this morning in the River Esk near Longtown.
Muslims who are fasting for the Holy Month of Ramadan are being asked to drink plenty of liquids in between fasts too. The man, believed to be from Carlisle, had reportedly been swimming with his young daughter when they got into difficulty at around 4.15pm on Tuesday.
The Met Office has issued a level 3 heatwave alert that mobilises support for high-risk groups. Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said the girl was rescued by a passer-by but her father remained missing until his body was recovered by search teams overnight.
The weather service’s spokesman, Dan Williams, said: “Many people will want to head out, but bear in mind it’s going to be hot and humid and people should make sure they are not adversely affected by the heat.” Watch manager Paul Dean told the Mirror: “We do think this was a weather-related incident.
Warning the public to take care, he urged: “They should make sure they drink plenty of water and seek the shade if they are feeling too hot and make sure those who are vulnerable to heat health conditions to take precautions. "It is a very popular place, very idyllic. But it has hidden currents, jagged rocks and it's very deep and very cold.”
Two friends cool-off in a fountain outside the Southbank Centre in London yesterday (via Rob Stothard/Getty Images) “Generally, it will be a nice day for most people. For the main daylight hours, most places will be dry with plenty of sunshine around across England and Wales, although there may be some rain in particular parts of Scotland.” Major river search in Longtown. Young girl and man got into trouble, child rescued but man still missing. pic.twitter.com/1DrtoSuPpf
At Wimbledon yesterday, players on Centre Court endured scorching temperatures in the sun as paramedics treated 123 tennis fans for dehydration, heat exhaustion and sun burn with two being taken into hospital. The girl is recovering in hospital and her family are being supported by police, Cumbria Constabulary said.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club has also warned spectators and players at Wimbledon today to take measures to combat the high temperatures which are expected to easily exceed 36C. Another man died at a reservoir in Suffolk during the hot weather yesterday.
Travel may be disrupted and Network Rail has imposed speed restrictions on some of its services, advising commuters to check their journeys before travelling. Police were called to Alton Water at around 8pm to reports that a swimmer had disappeared under the surface and the body of a man in his 20s was found after a search by divers, boats and a helicopter.
A spokesman for Network Rail described how the heat could affect travel: “As rails are made out of steel, they expand as they heat up and are subject to strong compression. Suffolk Constabulary is now warning people of the dangers of cooling off in rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
“This expansion has to be managed to reduce the risk of track buckling. If the track does buckle, the line must be closed and the track repaired before services can resume, causing considerable disruption. Jumping into cold water can cause the body to go into shock, a spokesperson said, and submerged hazards and strong currents can be difficult to see.
“Usually, these repairs can’t be done until the temperature of the rails has dropped, but, if a section of track is judged to be at risk, we introduce local speed restrictions – slower trains exert lower forces on the track and reduce the chance of buckling. Urgent health warnings have also been issued after temperatures of 34.5C was recorded at Northolt in west London earlier today and much of Britain sees the mercury hovering between between 30C and 33C.
“There may be some disruption but we’re trying to minimise this.” That makes today the hottest since 19 July 2006, when the temperature hit 36.5C in Wisley, Surrey.
The hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK was in 2006 when the mercury hit 36.5C (98F) in Wisley, Surrey. Young children, the elderly and those with serious illnesses are at particular risk amid fears the hot weather could lead to hospitalisations and more deaths.
The heatwave has sparked delays, cancellations and speed restrictions on train lines across England because metal tracks could buckle in the “extremely high temperatures”. Two friends cool-off in a fountain outside the Southbank Centre in London yesterday
The precaution will make journeys in stifling carriages even longer on routes operated by First Great Western, Southeastern, Virgin Trains East Coast and Abellio Greater Anglia.
Meanwhile, parts of the London Underground are expected to be hotter than the legal temperature for transporting cattle.
The AA warned also that roads could melt, bringing more disruption to motorists who have already been stuck in huge tailbacks on the M20 caused by strikes in Calais.
President Edmund King wrote on Twitter: “Some road surfaces can melt at 50C so if weather hits 30s the ground temp in direct sun can hit 50. You have been warned.”
Wimbledon is experiencing what could be the hottest day in the tournament's history, which could trigger its controversial new heat rule allowing only women players to take longer breaks. The crowds at Wimbledon seek shelter from the heat under umbrellas
St John Ambulance said yesterday it had treated 123 tennis fans and taken two to hospital, with the majority suffering from heat-related conditions.
Public Health England has activated its heatwave plan after the Met Office issued a Level 2 heat health alert.
The response was put in place after another spell of exceptional temperatures in August 2003, when there were 2,000 “excess” deaths in England over just 10 days.
People are being urged to drink plenty of water and keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
Additional reporting by AP