Warm weather in the UK: how to stay cool in a heat wave
The government said it was preparing for an increase in demand from the NHS and other services due to a forecast of potentially record temperatures next week.
After a meeting of the Cobra committee this afternoon, Kit Malthouse, the Cabinet Office minister, said the government will also focus on raising awareness about the risks of extreme heat.
“People have to be careful, do all the things they would do when it’s very hot – wear a hat, drink water, but it’s also critical. [with] the most vulnerable groups – the elderly, those with cardiovascular problems and the very young – that people take care of and take care of, ”he said.
The Met Office predicts temperatures of 35 ºC in parts of the UK from Sunday to Tuesday, with the possibility of exceeding the highest temperature ever recorded in Britain, 38.7 ºC.
The forecaster has issued an updated “amber” extreme heat warning for much of England and Wales over the three-day period.
Several days of warm weather have already put a strain on the NHS that is not usually seen outside the winter months, the government warned.
Key points
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Running water returns to Sheppey Island after days
Residents of Sheppey Island are expected to have running water again today after the pipes broke thousands of people during the hottest week of the year.
Two major pipelines on the coast island of Kent exploded on Tuesday, affecting 24,000 homes and closing 12 schools.
Southern Water installed bottled water points and tanker trucks were introduced to supply Sheppey Community Hospital.
Southern Water issued a statement at 8pm saying most of the island should be replenished once repairs were completed, although residents were told to expect cloudy water and low pressure.
Liam James July 14, 2022 9:15 p.m.
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The schoolboy put in an isolation room “like a prison” to wear shorts as temperatures rose
A schoolboy was put in an isolation room “like a prison” for wearing shorts to school amid a national heat wave, his father says.
Harrison Utting, 13, was sent to a special room at Westlands Secondary School in Sittingbourne, Kent for appearing without pants Monday morning.
The boy’s father, Terry Utting, criticized the school for its actions as temperatures in the UK continue to rise and weather warnings are set.
The father said his son was placed in a pastoral support room that is “like a prison.”
A schoolboy put him in an isolation room “like a prison” to wear shorts during the heat wave
Temperatures exceeded 30ºC in Kent and other parts of the south of England
Liam James July 14, 2022 8:24 PM
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The railway company warns of the train interruption in the coming days
Avanti West Coast has warned of disruptions to major train lines, cancellations shortly before and extended travel times due to high temperatures expected over the next few days.
The railway operator warned passengers who want to use the services between London Euston and Scotland that they are planning in advance due to the impact of the heat on the railway lines.
Saturday and Sunday services may be canceled shortly in advance, Avanti said.
He also warned that Monday and Tuesday services will be subject to changing schedules and extending travel times.
According to Network Rail, the steel rails used on the train tracks absorb heat easily and tend to hover about 20 degrees above the temperature of the surrounding air.
Liam James July 14, 2022 7:48 PM
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Tips for staying safe during the heat wave
As the UK prepares to raise temperatures, people are advised to stay safe with simple measures:
– Watch out for those who may struggle to stay fresh and hydrated, especially the elderly, people with underlying conditions, and people who are alone.
– Those who live alone are encouraged to ask a friend or family member over the phone to check that they have no difficulty during the extreme heat.
– Stay cool indoors by closing the curtains in rooms that face the sun to keep the interior spaces cooler, and remember that it may be cooler outside.
– Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and avoid excess alcohol.
– Never leave anyone in a closed and parked vehicle, especially babies, young children or animals.
– Try to stay out of the sun between 11 and 15 hours, when the sun’s UV rays are most intense.
– If you have to go out with heat, try walking in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
– Avoid physical activity during the hottest hours of the day.
– Bring water when traveling.
– Check the latest weather forecasts and temperature warnings.
– While swimming can be a good way to cool off, people are warned to go to lifeguard swimming spots, to remember that water is often much colder than it looks, which is not get too far from the shore or swim against currents, and to always carry a friend when they swim.
Liam James July 14, 2022 7:10 p.m.
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Another green space in London turns brown with the heat wave
New images below of Wanstead Flats: a large green space in east London that has turned brown after several dry days of intense heat.
Prairies throughout the capital have lost their color with the current warm climate, such as Hyde Park in the center and Greenwich Park in the southeast.
Private gardens have also dried up with heat. While brown can be unattractive, the capital’s water board advises gardeners to resist cleaning the lawn, as water is best preserved when supplies are low in warm periods.
The grass will soon turn green again after a point of rain, says Thames Water.
Dried grass in Wanstead Flats, east London
(Fran Andrea)
Days of suffocating heat with little rain has drained the color of the green space
(Fran Andrea)
Liam James July 14, 2022 6:30 p.m.
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The girl “came home crying and sick” after doing physical education during the heat wave
A nine-year-old girl was left in tears and vomited after doing a physical education lesson during this week’s heat wave, according to her mother (writes Zoe Tidman).
Collette Elliott told The Independent that her daughter, Codey, fainted half an hour after returning home ill from school on Monday.
He said he was “smoking” after being told that elementary students had to decide for themselves whether to sit in early childhood education in the heat.
The UK has experienced a scorching weather this week, with many areas having seen temperatures of 20 degrees and some even exceed 30 ºC.
The start of the week was the hottest, with temperatures dropping by half before they are expected to rise again before the weekend.
The girl “came home crying and sick” after doing physical education during the heat wave
“He literally went to his bedroom and fainted,” says Collette Elliott
Liam James July 14, 2022 5:40 PM
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The government anticipates greater tension in the NHS
The government said it was preparing for an increase in demand from the NHS and other services due to a forecast of potentially record temperatures next week.
After a meeting of the Cobra committee this afternoon, Kit Malthouse, Minister of the Cabinet Office, urged the public to monitor people who are especially vulnerable to the heat.
He told BBC Radio 4’s The World at One: “The key thing we can do is prepare government services for what may be an increase in demand, especially the health service and other places, but also communicate criticizes that the first line of defense is actually a change in individual behavior.
“People have to be careful, do all the things they would do when it’s very hot – wear a hat, drink water, but it’s also critical. [with] the most vulnerable groups – the elderly, people with cardiovascular problems and very young people – who are cared for and cared for by them.
“We ask people if they have a big neighbor, especially if they live alone, it would be a neighborhood thing to check them and make sure they are taken care of and have access to water.
“The current forecast is that we will be in the mid to high 30s, but there is a lower chance that we can get over it and possibly reach 40, which would be an all-time record.”
Ministers said the NHS was already under winter pressure levels due to heat combined with Covid-related staff shortages.
Liam James July 14, 2022 5:05 PM
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The worst drought in the 70s threatens the supply of risotto, passata and olive oil
Italy’s worst drought in 70 years has jeopardized supplies of olive oil, risotto rice and raisins as the country collapsed under the burden of poor water infrastructure.
A rise in prices of up to 50 percent for rice and tomatoes is expected after producers of arborio rice, used in risotto, said there would be a “significant reduction” in crop yields .
The Italian government declared a state of emergency in several northern regions due to drought and a strong heat wave that has dried up the Po River, a key area for the production of fruits, vegetables and cereals, as well as for irrigation.
Get all the details here:
The worst drought in the 70s threatens the supply of risotto, passata and olive oil
The Italian government declares a state of emergency
Maryam Zakir-Hussain July 14, 2022 4:30 p.m.
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The director of the charity urges people to check on elderly relatives in the midst of extreme heat
People are asked to stay out of the sun at noon, to be hydrated, to take care of vulnerable people, to never leave children or pets in a parked car, and to keep their curtains closed to prevent the sun.
Caroline Abrahams, director of charities at Age UK, urged people to check on older family, friends and neighbors to see if they needed anything during the high heat.
“Any elderly person who is already facing significant health issues, especially if they affect their heart or lungs, will find the heat wave coming up as a challenge,” he warned.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain July 14, 2022 3:55 PM
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How to stay cool in a heat wave
Warm weather in the UK: how to stay cool in a heat wave
Maryam Zakir-Hussain July 14, 2022 3:26 p.m.