By Joseph Wilson Suzan Fraser
In Italy, the Health Ministry put 21 cities under its 鈥渞ed鈥 alert, which indicates 鈥渆mergency conditions with possible negative effects鈥 on healthy, active people as well as others. Regional governments in north-western Liguria and southern Sicily put restrictions on outdoor work.
There were torrential rains in the north, and parts of Bardonecchia near Turin were covered in sludge after the Frejus river burst its banks. RAI state television said one person was killed.
Britain鈥檚 national weather service said the Wimbledon tennis tournament was facing what could be its hottest start, with temperatures just under 30 degrees. Tournament rules permit players to take a 10-minute break when the heat goes above 30.1 degrees mid-match.
Temperatures in southern Germany were forecast as high as 39 degrees on Wednesday. Some towns and regions have imposed limits on the amount of water that can be taken from rivers and lakes.
At the Berlin Zoo, elephants were showered with water and bears were treated with blocks of ice containing fruit.