Heat wave puts Italy on highest alert as temperatures top 40 C

Italy placed all of its major cities under the country's highest heat alert on Thursday (Aug. 6) as an intense heat wave sweeps across Europe, bringing temperatures above 40 C, straining infrastructure and prompting health warnings across multiple countries.

As reported by the Associated Press, the extreme temperatures have also set a national temperature record in Austria, fuelled wildfires in France and disrupted energy production and transportation networks throughout the region.

Scientists and government officials warn that heat waves like this are becoming more frequent and more intense as the climate continues to warm.

The latest stretch of extreme heat has also highlighted vulnerabilities in public health systems, power generation, transportation networks and tourism infrastructure, forcing governments and businesses to adapt to increasingly frequent periods of extreme weather.

Italy issues nationwide red alert

Italy's Health Ministry placed all 27 cities monitored under its national heat surveillance system on red alert Thursday — the first time this year the entire network has been under the highest warning level at the same time.

The alerts cover cities from Trieste in the northeast to Palermo in Sicily.

Authorities have urged residents and visitors to stay out of direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, remain indoors whenever possible and stay hydrated.

The heat has also prompted changes at some of Italy's best-known tourist attractions.

The country's tourism and culture ministries have extended evening opening hours at landmarks including Rome's Colosseum and the Pantheon, reports say.

Rome introduces cooling measures

To help visitors cope with the soaring temperatures, cooling mist fans have been installed at the entrances to the Colosseum and additional medical stations have been set up nearby.

Rome has also expanded access to Tiberis, its free municipal "urban beach" along the Tiber River in the Marconi neighbourhood.

The site features swimming pools, water fountains and shaded areas, offering residents a place to escape the city's intense heat.

Austria, Slovakia hit record highs

Slovakia also recorded a new all-time high temperature Thursday, with the mercury reaching 42.2 C in Dolne Plachtince, according to the Slovak Meteorological Institute.

Meanwhile, Austria registered a record temperature of 41.2 C on Wednesday in the village of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, near the Slovak border, according to GeoSphere Austria.

Austria is also contending with severe drought conditions. National rainfall between Jan. 1 and June 30 was 27% below the long-term average, while some eastern regions received only half their typical precipitation.

Europe's rivers are enduring one of their toughest summers in years, with prolonged heat and drought driving water levels to historic lows and disrupting river cruise operations.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.