Heatwave hits France: Dozens of train services canceled, schools face closure

A significant heatwave is gripping much of France, prompting health warnings and disruptions across the country. Paris and numerous other regions have been placed under heat advisories, with concerns mounting over potential school closures and the cancellation of dozens of train services. Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution and ensure adequate hydration as temperatures soar.

The French meteorological office forecasts the heatwave to persist into next week, with the peak expected on Sunday and Monday. Widespread areas, including the capital, could see temperatures climb to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). In response to the extreme heat, some schools have already shortened their hours to avoid the worst of the afternoon temperatures. The mayor of Tours, Emmanuel Denis, stated that all schools would close if temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius.

This situation echoes last year's heatwave, when 2,200 schools were closed across France. The national railway company, SNCF, has canceled 71 long-distance train services between Thursday and Monday as a precautionary measure to prevent air conditioning systems from failing in the intense heat. In Paris, authorities have exceptionally permitted swimming in parts of the Canal Saint-Martin since Wednesday evening, a measure that followed a previous heatwave in late May when young people were seen swimming in the canal despite it being prohibited.

Climate scientists are increasingly concerned about the impact of global warming on such extreme weather events. Matthieu Sorel, a climatologist at the French meteorological office, told AFP that heatwaves are becoming more common, cover larger areas, and are more intense. This trend is attributed to the broader effects of climate change, highlighting the growing vulnerability of regions like France to extreme heat.