UK Heatwaves Claim Over 2,700 Lives in May and June
Email: online@newsofbahrain.com
LONDON: A new study reports at least 2,700 people died in England and Wales during record-breaking heatwaves in May and June. This figure highlights the severe public health toll caused by extreme temperatures across the United Kingdom and Europe.
The region experienced two intense heatwaves this year, with temperatures peaking at 35.1°C (95.2°F) in May and climbing to 37.7°C (99.9°F) in June. These record-breaking highs caused widespread distress and health complications across the nation.
The study by researchers used weather data, climate models, and studies on excess deaths during the extreme weather to arrive at their estimate. They attribute 550 fatalities to the May heatwave and nearly 2,200 to the June event.
The team determined that human-induced climate change increased temperatures by 3°C to 4°C, which was responsible for over 40% of total heat-related deaths.
These findings serve as an urgent warning for policymakers, emphasising the immediate need for enhanced infrastructure and heat-resilience strategies to protect vulnerable populations in future summers.
Related Posts