'Potentially dangerous' heatwave set to strike Europe

123rf

Authorities in France are taking extra precautions as Europe braces for a heatwave with temperatures forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celcius this week.

Temporary fountains have been put in place and public pools and parks will remain open during the night in the French capital.

Authorities have also set up special phone lines and “cool rooms” in town hall buildings for vulnerable people.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said swimming would be allowed in the canal basin at La Villette, and three temporary outdoor pools would be set up for free across densely-populated parts of the city.

She added that 5,000 reusable flasks of water would be distributed to people living on the street, and aid workers would increase their rounds of the city.

France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium could also witness scorching temperatures this week.

More from International news

News

  • H.H. Sheikh Hamdan approves Umm Suqeim Beach master plan

    His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai has approved a AED500 million development plan to transform Umm Suqeim Beach into a major new public waterfront destination.

  • UAE FM condemns Israel’s repeated violations of ceasefire in Gaza

    The UAE's Foreign Minister joined with the Foreign Ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, on Sunday, to strongly condemn Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza which have resulted in the killing, and injuring of more than a thousand Palestinians.

  • UAE, World Food Programme sign deal to support Sudan aid efforts

    The United Arab Emirates has signed a cooperation agreement between the UAE Aid Agency and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support humanitarian response efforts in Sudan.