By Charlotte Fisher Neil Shaw
A warning has been issued for anyone going to Spain, Greece, Italy or Portugal as major heatwaves across southern Europe have pushed temperatures above 40C in certain countries. Italy, Spain and Greece are among those affected, as local authorities issued fresh warnings over the risk of wildfires. Experts warned that intense heat can affect daily life, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children. Local authorities advised against physical activity during the hottest hours of the day, and recommended drinking plenty of fluids. It comes after severe heat was recorded in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal before the weekend, with two-thirds of Portugal on high alert on Sunday over extreme heat and wildfires, the ECHO reports . Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here Experts link the rising frequency and intensity of these heatwaves to climate change, warning that such extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common across Europe鈥檚 southern region. A Lancet Public Health study published last year highlighted the increasing risk of heat-related deaths because of climate change. The study predicted that heat-related deaths could more than quadruple by mid-century under current climate policies. While more people die from cold than heat, the study stressed that rising temperatures will offset the benefits of milder winters, leading to a significant net increase in heat-related mortality. In Italy, a few regions – Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia and Umbria – were planning to ban some outdoor work activities during the hottest hours of the day in response to the record high temperatures. Italian trade unions pushed the government to expand such measures at a national level. On Sunday, the Italian health ministry placed 21 out of 27 monitored cities under its highest heat alert, including top holiday destinations like Rome, Milan and Naples. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE In Rome, tourists tried to seek shade near popular spots like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, using umbrellas and drinking from public water fountains to stay cool. Similar scenes were reported in Milan and Naples, where street vendors sold lemonade to tourists and residents to offer some refreshment from the heat. Greece was again on high wildfire alert because of extreme weather, with a large wildfire breaking out south of Athens on Thursday, forcing evacuations and road closures near the ancient Temple of Poseidon. Strong winds spread the flames, damaging homes and sending smoke across the sky.