This time it’s serious. Not this one heat wave with 28º or 30º causing ridicule in southern European countries. Government of great Britain has issued, for the first time in its history, a red alert (level 4) for an incoming heat wave on Monday and Tuesday. Forecasts suggest temperatures could reach 40º in parts of central and east England, as announced Meteorological Office. A red alert, the highest level of health risk, automatically changes to a national emergency.

The UK’s Health Safety Agency has indicated that this warning of severity poses a risk to the health and life of people, not just the most vulnerable. Residents are asked to change their work habits and routines on these days, to avoid sun exposure and peak heat hours. In areas not covered by a red alert, a yellow warning remains in effect, one level below the severity level.

Authorities have asked residents to stay constantly hydrated, and to monitor the state of the elderly or those with health problems at all times. The hospital is already preparing for an increased number of hospitalizations during the designated days; the railroad prepared contingency plans for a possible change in itinerary, due to the necessary speed reduction, and sand was started to be spread on the road to prevent the asphalt from melting.

The Ministry of Culture and Sport has contacted organizers of major sporting events, such as the Women’s Euro 2022 match, to be alert for emergencies, and to prepare aid kits for spectators.

“People might think that this is an acceptable temperature, the same temperature they were exposed to when they went on vacation to Spain,” meteorologist Aiden McGivern told the paper. Time. “The fact is that in the UK we are not used to these numbers. It’s very rare, and we already know the impact it can have on the health of even the healthiest people.”

The record maximum temperature in England was recorded in the summer of 2019 in the city of Cambridge, with 38.7º. Forecasts suggest that the figure will be exceeded in the coming days.