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The high temperatures of the heat wave are not so much for pleasure as caution, correspondent Geraint Vincent reports
The UK is sweltering as the first red extreme heat warning came into force on Monday.
Wales has already broken temperatures for its hottest day on record as the mercury reached 38.1C in Santon Downham in Suffolk, making it the hottest day of the year.
Tuesday is set to be even hotter, with temperatures likely to reach 41C in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
The existing UK record of 38.7C set in Cambridge in 2019 looks certain to fall amid the sweltering heat.
Rising temperatures prompted the UK’s Health Safety Agency to issue a level 4 heat health warning – described as “urgent” – while the Met Office issued the UK’s first red extreme heat warning, both in effect from Monday until wednesday.
People have been urged to take extra precautions during the heatwave, with the public urged not to travel unless absolutely necessary, carry water at all times and watch for signs of heat exhaustion.
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Police also urged people to avoid cooling off in reservoirs, rivers or lakes after a 13-year-old in Northumbria, a 16-year-old in Maidenhead and a 16-year-old in Greater Manchester drowned while swimming in open water.
The body of a 50-year-old man was pulled from Ardsley Reservoir, between Leeds and Wakefield, on Sunday.
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Drivers were urged to travel through the cooler parts of the day, while passengers were told to check their trains were running before travelling, as dozens of rail operators canceled services or warned of delays.
Luton Airport has reportedly had to divert flights after high temperatures melted the surface of its runway. Flying operations were also suspended at RAF Brize Norton amid the heatwave.
Twelve fire engines had to be rushed to a large bushfire at Lickey Hills Country Park on the outskirts of Birmingham after a blaze ravaged around 400 square meters of green space.
It comes after experts warned bushfires could sweep across the countryside as temperatures threaten to soar to 40C.
ITV News Northern Reporter Sangeeta Lal reports on the disruption the heat will have tomorrow in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, two regions where temperatures could reach 41C
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Davies warned Monday night would be “very oppressive” and it would be “difficult” to sleep in the heat.
The top forecaster said he was “really concerned” about the UK reaching 40 or 41C on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Met Office climate attribution specialist Dr Nikos Christidis said the 40s forecast was a result of climate change.
People were urged to avoid wasting water – especially in their back gardens.
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Water demand reduction manager for Thames Water, Andrew Tucker, told customers to be careful with their water use as the heatwave caused demand to be “close to record levels”.
Mr Tucker told BBC Radio 4 that Thames Water was not currently considering any water restrictions, but that could change if there was little rainfall in the coming months.
“Our appeal is basically ‘stay hydrated, take care of your health, but please use water very carefully and don’t waste it,'” he added.
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Ministers held a virtual emergency Cobra meeting on Saturday to introduce an emergency action plan for the country after forecasters warned record high temperatures could put lives at risk.
Boris Johnson was criticized for not attending the meeting and instead spent the weekend partying at Checkers.
Labor leader Lisa Nandy has accused the outgoing prime minister and his ministers of “gapping up” during the UK’s first red extreme heat warning.
Defending Mr Johnson, cabinet minister Keith Malthouse told Sky News: “My job is to chair Cobra meetings. I personally informed him yesterday morning around 8 am.
As the broadcaster showed aerial footage of Mr Johnson with his guests at Chequers, Mr Malthouse said it was “completely unfair” to suggest the Prime Minister was avoiding important meetings because he was about to leave work.
After the Cobra meeting, Health Minister Steve Barclay said emergency services were already starting to see an increased volume of calls, but Tuesday afternoon was the “point of maximum concern” as the highest point of the heatwave expected.
Additional emergency support has been introduced for ambulance services, such as more on-call staff and extra working hours.
Britons are urged to carry water and sunscreen at all times. Credit: PA
On Monday, Downing Street said the NHS was “dealing well” with the extreme heat and no deaths had been reported centrally at this stage.
However, Milton Keynes University Hospital canceled routine outpatient appointments and operations on Monday and Tuesday, while Lord Victor Adebowale, chairman of the NHS Confederation, told Times Radio that hospitals would be “really, really squeezed” over the next few days.
Schools in several counties, including Nottinghamshire and Hampshire, have confirmed they will not be open on Monday and Tuesday following the health warnings.
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