Italy puts all 27 major cities on highest heat alert

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 across the country, a measure that reflects the severity of the current heatwave, which is edging temperatures in some areas close to 40 degrees Celsius. The move extends the heat warning system that has been in place through the summer as successive heatwaves have strained infrastructure and public health services.

The decision to place all 27 major cities under red alert marks a significant escalation in Italy's response to the summer's heat. The Guardian noted that this is the fourth heatwave of the season, and the blanket coverage from the Adriatic port of Trieste to the Sicilian capital signals that no region is being spared the extreme conditions.

For the Estero desk, the heatwave carries implications beyond Italy's borders. The strain on Italy's energy grid comes at a moment when the country is already contending with LNG supply disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz, where a second tanker carrying Qatari gas was struck last week, according to Euronews. Italian utility Edison said QatarEnergy had extended force majeure on a further three cargoes, bringing the total affected to 24 shipments through September. Higher temperatures typically drive up electricity demand for cooling, potentially compounding the pressure on energy supplies already under disruption.

The heat also affects the Mediterranean migration front. The Guardian's live blog on Monday reported that the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, wrote to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urging more to be done to strengthen EU borders at critical points, following the deadly events in Ceuta. Extreme heat adds another layer of danger for migrants attempting crossings, though the wire does not detail specific incidents related to the current heatwave.

The red alert also comes as Italy has temporarily suspended Schengen rules with Spain following the Ceuta crisis, according to The Local Italy. The heatwave, combined with border controls, may affect summer travel patterns across the peninsula, though the wire does not quantify any such impact.

Health authorities typically advise vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions, to avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, the BBC reported in a guide on coping with the heat. The BBC's advice includes seeking air-conditioned spaces and shifting activities to cooler evening hours, guidance that becomes critical when all major cities are under the highest alert level.