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Italian heatwave 'puts one million people at risk'
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-28 20:33
A heat wave in Italy has put the health of one million people at risk and the
government has warned the situation could be even worse than the summer of 2003
when 20,000 people died due to soaring temperatures.
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| A man seeks relief from soaring temperatures by emptying a bottle of
water over his head in the city of Lucerne June 28, 2005. Temperatures are
expected to rise to 35 degree Celsius (95 F) today, a new record high in
Switzerland this summer so far.
[Reuters] | Authorities have
asked local doctors to keep an eye on their patients above 75 years of age who
are most vulnerable, hoping to avoid a repeat of the death-rate of two years ago
which has just been revised up from 8,000.
"We are faced with a heat wave that is equal if not worse than in 2003 (and)
around one million people are at risk," Health Minister Francesco Storace told a
news conference.
Italy is bathed in hot Saharan air with temperatures forecast on Tuesday to
reach 36 degrees Celsius (97 Fahrenheit), with the hottest regions in the north.
In cities it can feel much hotter as asphalt roads and pavements pump the heat
back up from below.
High temperatures put the vulnerable at risk of dehydration and
cardio-vascular problems which can kill. Older people are particularly at risk
and several people have already been reported to have died because of the heat.
Northern Italy is also facing possible water shortages due to lack of
rainfall and evaporation has spiked. Farmers say there is only enough water to
guarantee irrigation for two weeks.
A massive use of air conditioning caused electricity consumption to hit
near-record levels on Monday. Grid operator GRTN said the country was not at
danger of power shortages, despite low availability from hydro plants.
In June 2003 Italy suffered widespread blackouts as electricity demand for
air conditioners caused an overload.
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