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Italy on red alert, Hungary turns off the lights as Europe's heatwave takes toll
Yahoo • • general
Key Points:
- Italy has placed all its major cities on the highest health alert level due to extreme heat, marking an unprecedented nationwide warning for prolonged high temperatures posing serious health risks.
- Hungary has turned off decorative and non-essential lighting at state institutions to save energy amid a heatwave and record-low water levels on the Danube, which have forced the shutdown of its sole nuclear plant.
- Low water levels are also impacting shipping on the Rhine in Germany, causing vessels to sail part-loaded and increasing freight costs for key commodities like grains and coal.
- In response to drought and wildfire risks, Italy's Piedmont region declared a state of emergency, while cities like Genoa and Rome have introduced measures such as free access to air-conditioned public spaces for vulnerable populations.
- Tourists in Bosnia are seeking refuge from the heat in the cool, constant-temperature Vjetrenica cave, a UNESCO site known for its biodiversity and stable 11°C environment.
