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.
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 today 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.
Tourists tempted to cool their feet in Rome's Trevi fountain faced increased scrutiny from whistle-blowing guards who are charged with protecting the city's famous monuments.
At home and at work, air conditioning use was so high that electricity consumption hit an all-time peak of 53,500 megawatts, grid operator GRTN said.
During the 2003 heat wave, Italy suffered widespread blackouts due to the demand spikes, but GRTN said the system could now cope and would not cut out.
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.
France, where 15,000 people died in 2003, is also on a state of alert because of the heat. Police are patrolling Paris on the look-out for homeless people whose lives could be at risk.
Northern Italy, where the temperatures are highest, faces possible water shortages due to lack of rainfall and rapid evaporation.
Farmers say there is only enough water to guarantee irrigation for two weeks and the autumn's maize and sugar harvests are at risk unless it rains by next week.