Italy places 27 cities on red alert as heatwave intensifies

Italy's health ministry placed 27 cities, from Trieste in the country's northeast to Palermo in Sicily, on red alert ahead of the weekend as a blistering heatwave across much of Europe toppled temperature records and disrupted energy and transportation systems, France 24 reported.

Temperatures across much of Italy are approaching or exceeding those recorded during the infamous summer of 2003, as heatwaves become more frequent, according to The Local Italy. The heat has set a national temperature record in Austria, fueled wildfires in France and disrupted energy and transportation systems across the continent, CBS News reported.

The red alert covers major urban centres including Rome, where officials are scrambling to house hundreds of people camping outside after a squat eviction amid the heat, the Guardian reported.

For Piedmont, the heatwave presents particular challenges. Turin, the regional capital, lies in the Po basin where continental climate conditions can amplify high temperatures, and the region's ageing industrial infrastructure — including power grids and transport networks — faces strain during prolonged hot spells. The Po river, which runs through the region, is a critical resource for agriculture and industry, and sustained heat raises concerns about water availability.

The current alert follows a pattern that has become familiar to Italian cities. The Local Italy noted that the summer of 2003, which killed an estimated 70,000 people across Europe, remains the benchmark, but that such extreme seasons are becoming more frequent. CBS News reported that the heat has disrupted energy systems, a particular concern for a region like Piedmont that hosts energy-intensive manufacturing.

Rome's commuters are already feeling the impact, with the Metro C line and electric buses struggling with temperatures they were not designed for, The Local Italy reported. While Piedmont's transport network has not yet reported similar failures, the precedent suggests infrastructure across the country is vulnerable to heat extremes that were once considered exceptional.

The health warnings carry an economic dimension. With 27 cities on red alert, the government is advising vulnerable populations to stay indoors during the hottest hours, potentially reducing productivity in the service sector. For Piedmont's factories, where shifts often run through the afternoon, employers face the choice of adjusting schedules or accepting heat-related slowdowns.

The heatwave also intersects with the broader climate story that has dominated Italy's summer. The Guardian's coverage of the Rome squat evictions highlighted how heat amplifies social vulnerability, a theme that resonates in Turin's post-industrial neighbourhoods where housing quality varies widely. As temperatures climb, the pressure on public services and the most exposed residents grows in tandem.