Italian meteorologists reported that the country is experiencing its hottest summer of the last century. July broke the previous record set in 2003, which was previously considered the warmest year since scientific measurements began.
The country is facing its fourth consecutive heatwave, which is expected to last at least another ten days. Temperatures reached 48 degrees today in the Afragola area of Naples. Civil Protection announced that 26 cities will be on maximum red alert tomorrow due to the heat.
Regional Impact and Relief Measures
In Bisceglie, Apulia, an 81-year-old man died of cardiac arrest while preparing to dive into the sea, with high temperatures listed as the probable cause. Northern, central, and southern regions of Italy have stayed under continuous pressure from nearly uninterrupted heatwaves over the last two months.
Farmers and livestock breeders on the island of Sardinia requested a declaration of a state of emergency to secure immediate state support after suffering heavy damage from heat and drought. In Genoa, municipal officials extended free museum entry for citizens over 65 during peak daily heat. Volunteers in the wider Ancona area are delivering store-bought groceries directly to the homes of elderly residents.
