The Met Office has issued the first ever amber weather warning for extreme temperatures in the UK. The emergency response is reportedly being drawn up by government ministers after a rare amber comes into force this Sunday.
In some areas of the UK the possibility of temperatures surging above 35C is becoming very real. However, already the mercury has started to soar with it hitting 32C on Monday and advice is being given out by authorities on how to keep cool especially for the vulnerable.
This Sunday the Met Office is warning the heat is likely to be “population-wide adverse health effects”, including “potential serious illness or danger to life”. There is also a significant risk to those in coastal areas, lakes and rivers because of an increased risk of water safety accidents, weather forecasters have said.
A Cobra meeting was held on Monday following the Met Office’s amber warning, reported The Telegraph. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) could declare a “level four emergency” if the heat means that “illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy”.
A UKHSA spokesman told The Telegraph: “There’s a possibility of a level four heatwave. If it gets above 40C, then it is likely to be a level four heatwave for the first time.”
In an emergency like this it would be where there is a danger of disruption to transport, food supplies and could see everything from schools to nuclear power plants being closed.
Footage on Monday showed a raging fire in a field in Ripon, Yorkshire, with people told to avoid the area, Mirror Online reported.
Hampshire County Council is preparing to use gritters to tackle melting roads with the machines spreading light dustings of sand. This “acts like a sponge to soak up excess bitumen,” according to the council.
The areas most likely to be targeted by the vehicles this week are those with older road surfaces, in rural locations and south facing. Residents are being urged to report any road problems on the council’s website. Motorists who find tar stuck to their tyres are advised to wash it off with warm soapy water.
A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: “Snow and ice are the last thing on most people’s minds at the moment and I’m sure there’s been a lot of head-scratching if they’ve seen our gritters out on the roads in the height of summer.
“However, our gritting teams are once again playing a vital role in keeping the country’s roads safe for motorists. This proactive work helps reduce the potential damage high temperatures can inflict on our roads, so keeping them safe and limiting disruption.
“Councils will continue to monitor road temperatures and once the weather cools will begin carrying out repairs if needed.”
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