Severe heatwave hits Western and Central Europe

Western and Central Europe are experiencing an intense heatwave, the second in less than a month, with temperatures expected to exceed 40°C in France, Spain, and Portugal. French authorities have placed 35 departments on red alert, a figure expected to rise to 49 by Monday, while also canceling various public music events and banning alcohol consumption in high-risk areas. President Emmanuel Macron has urged citizens to protect vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly. The national rail operator, SNCF, has advised against travel due to potential infrastructure damage such as rail warping. Meanwhile, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Spain have increased their alert levels, with forecasts predicting significant deviations from historical climate norms. Meteorologists indicate that the situation may deteriorate further throughout the week. Scientists attribute these extreme weather events to human-induced climate change, noting a trend of increasingly lethal heat across the continent.