France has elevated its weather alert level to 'orange' across 43 departments as the country faces a significant new heatwave.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, citing international media reports, the national meteorological service Météo-France announced that the new heatwave is actively impacting the country. The agency expanded the 'orange' alert, which previously covered 21 departments, to now include 43 regions due to the rising temperatures.
Meteorologists forecast that temperatures will remain high, with minimums around 20 degrees Celsius, while western and southwestern regions are expected to reach between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius. Authorities have urged residents to take necessary precautions as the heatwave continues to intensify.
France has experienced record-breaking heat this year, including the hottest July in the country's recorded history. The extreme weather conditions have had severe consequences; previous heatwaves earlier this summer were linked to a 36 percent increase in mortality rates, resulting in an additional 5,767 deaths. Furthermore, the combination of persistent heat and drought has exacerbated wildfire risks, with approximately 117,000 hectares of land scorched across the country so far this year.
