Heat warning issued as Britain swelters
It’s hot out there – and as temperatures soar into the 30s again, Britain is heading for its longest heatwave for seven years. And, say forecasters, the sweltering conditions are here to stay.
After a miserable winter and a rain-drenched spring, the British summer is heading for the record books – as the mercury soared above 30 celcius yet again today, and could reach 32, making it the hottest day of the year so far.
The Met Office is due to issue a level 3 alert for London and the south east of England which is triggered when temperatures which are potentially harmful to health have been reached on a number of consecutive days.
That means hospital staff will be put on alert for extra admissions, with elderly people, children and those with chronic conditions at risk. Health officials say people should keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, wear hats and sunscreen, and make sure they keep hydrated.
It’s just one step away from a full scale emergency, which would require the cabinet to meet in special session.
Record temperatures?
And, say forecasters, the heatwave looks as if it is here to stay. Above average temperatures are set to continue well into next week, especially in the south of England, although predictions that it could last until mid August are not especially reliable.
While supermarkets say that sales of barbecues, picnic food and sun cream are soaring, not everyone is delighted with the prospect of an extended summer. Farmers are already reporting some animals are in difficulty, while the lack of rain means crops could also suffer.
In the blistering heatwave of 2003, more than 2,000 deaths were attributed to the heat. Following that, the Department of Health set up a special Heatawave plan, under the aegis of Public Health England, in an effort to reduce the risks.
The PHE’s Professor Virginia Murray said the high temperatures were everyone’s problem: “We need to look after everyone, and we need everyone to look out for each other”.
And the Labour MP Linda Riordan has tabled an early day motion in the Commons, signed by seven other MPs, which calls for people doing strenuous work, like builders, to be sent home in searing temperatures,
Sadly, experience tells us that exposure to excessive heat can kill. Dr Paul Cosford, Public Health England
Health officials say excessive heat can cause all sorts of problems, including heat stroke, exhaustion, respiritory problems and dehydration, as well as an increase in drowning accidents as people attempt to cool off in the water.
Two servicemen died at the weekend while on a gruelling special forces selection process in the Brecon beacons, after apparently succumbing to exhaustion in the heat.
Dr Paul Cosford, the director for health protection from PHE, said although many people were enjoying the unaccustomed sunshine, “sadly experience tells us that exposure to excessive heat can kill.”
“Because we are not used to these very hot temperatures in England, it’s important that local plans are in place to reduce the impact of harm from very hot weather”.