In some places, temperatures never dropped below 25C last night in what has been recorded as the hottest night in British history.
In some parts of the country, temperatures hit 37 degrees on Monday. It is expected to be hotter on Tuesday, with reports that mercury could be in the 40s.
It is the first time authorities have issued a red alert for extreme heat in the country. The UK Meteorological Institute said earlier that it was very likely that there would be danger to life and health.
The heat wave also poses a problem for rail traffic in the country. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps fears the railroads will not withstand the extreme heat.
He told the BBC that the country’s transport system was not built for such a hot climate. Shapps was concerned that some of the railroad tracks would break from the heat, and so someone had to prevent the train from passing through and risk derailment.
– We have to be very careful and aware of it. Therefore, there is a reduction in speed in most rail networks.
Meteorologists have previously said that climate change is the cause of the heatwave, and they fear there will be more frequent and more intense episodes of extreme weather in the years to come.
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