British authorities have declared a national state of emergency due to an extreme heatwave expected to hit the country on the upcoming Monday and Tuesday. The British Meteorological Office has issued, for the first time, a red warning, the highest level of alert, regarding the hot weather next week, where "temperatures are expected to exceed forty degrees Celsius in the southern regions of the country," marking a first in British history. The warning indicates "a danger to lives during this period."
Authorities are set to enforce speed restrictions on highways and railway lines, and several schools will announce closures. Hospitals will also reduce previously scheduled patient appointments. Additionally, many companies and workplaces have advised their employees to "work from home if possible, to avoid direct sunlight." Several horse racing events scheduled for those two days have been canceled to ensure the safety of the public and participants, amid predictions of unprecedented temperature levels.
It is worth noting that the heatwave, which began last week, is coming from the North African region and has caused a significant rise in temperatures and wildfires in southwestern European countries like France, Spain, and Portugal.
