At 40.2 degrees Celsius, the UK is paralyzed by record-breaking temperatures. Approximately 171 schools closed across the country today, hospitals announced postponing non-emergency operations. While transportation services were disrupted and delayed, a runway at Luton Airport was closed due to extreme heat. It was learned that the train tracks were also bent due to the hot weather and some services could not be made.
The temperature in England broke a record with 40.2 degrees Celsius today. It was announced that this temperature was measured in Charlwood city in Surrey region. Previously, the highest air temperature in history in the UK was recorded in Cambridge in 2019. At that time, the temperature was 38.7 degrees.
The heatwave is being felt across the UK, from the capital London to York and Manchester in the north.
DEATHS COULD TRIPLE
The heatwave is expected to continue in the UK, with even night-time temperatures hovering around 25 degrees Celsius and temperatures expected to start dropping from Wednesday.
SCHOOLS AND SURGERIES CLOSED
For the first time in its history, the Meteorological Directorate has announced a red alert level for extreme temperatures. The red alert level means that “widespread impacts on citizens and infrastructure are expected and significant changes to daily routines and working conditions will be required”.
The country has closed 171 schools today and teachers say it is impossible to learn in sweltering classrooms.
Hospitals canceled appointments and non-urgent operations as operating theaters turned into ovens. In a statement made by the London Ambulance Service, it was stated that 6,600 calls were made yesterday due to the hot weather.
TRANSPORTATION PARALYSIS RAIL LINES BENT
Passenger numbers on roads and railways fell by up to one-fifth after the National Railways Network called on citizens to travel only when necessary. Rails on some lines buckled, reportedly causing train services to be disrupted.
According to The Telegraph, nearly 2,000 of the 12,800 transport services across the UK were delayed by more than 30 minutes, and some were canceled altogether.
Serious delays were reported on 11 of London’s 15 tube lines.
The UK has broken the record for the hottest temperatures in its history! Transportation paralyzed: Even the airstrip melted
ASPHALT MELTED, RUNWAY CLOSED
A runway at Luton Airport in London was closed due to extreme heat melting the asphalt. Engineers on site stepped in and repaired the asphalt. The runway was reopened for use after about 1 hour.
RECORDS EXPECTED IN FRANCE, BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS AND GERMANY
Meteorologists say they expect record temperatures in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany as the warm air mass that has engulfed much of the continent in recent weeks moves north and east.
While the Netherlands issued a code orange stating that temperatures could rise above 38 degrees Celsius, authorities in Belgium asked to be careful about temperatures above 40C.
France, where temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius, continues to fight forest fires with 2,000 firefighters responding.
Forest fires in the Gironde region in the southwest of France are still not under control. So far, 6,500 hectares have been burned to ashes in the fire near Dune du Pilat in La Teste-de-Buch in the Arcachon Bay region and 12,800 hectares in the town of Landiras. A total of 34 thousand people have been evacuated, while 9 airplanes and 1,700 firefighters continue to fight the flames.
