Italy's 27 cities under red heat alert as fourth wave peaks

Italy is to place all of its 27 major cities, from Trieste in the north to Palermo in the south, under the highest heat alert as the fourth heatwave to hit the country this summer intensifies, the Guardian reported on Wednesday. The red alert covers every major urban centre, including Turin, Milan and Rome, with temperatures in some areas edging close to 40C.

The measure reflects a summer that has already seen three previous heatwaves strain Italy's infrastructure, energy grid and public health system. For Piedmont's capital, the alert carries particular weight: Turin's continental climate, with cold winters and warm, humid summers, makes prolonged high temperatures a test for a city whose industrial heritage left it with dense urban fabric and limited green space.

The Guardian's report did not specify how long the red alert would remain in force, but noted the heatwave was intensifying across the country. Local authorities in the affected cities typically respond by opening cooling centres, extending public pool hours and advising residents to stay indoors during peak afternoon heat.