Italy Swelters Under Extreme Heatwave, 15 Cities on Red Alert

Italy is currently grappling with a severe heatwave, leading the Health Ministry to declare a "red alert" in 15 major cities. This highest level of warning signifies extreme heat conditions posing a significant risk to public health.

The affected cities include the capital Rome, Bologna, Brescia, Cagliari, Campobasso, Florence, Frosinone, Genoa, Latina, Palermo, Perugia, Pescara, Rieti, Turin, and Viterbo. Authorities announced that Milan will join this list on Friday, increasing the number of cities under red alert to 16.

Meteorologists forecast temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in the country's central and southern areas. Meanwhile, northern regions may experience thunderstorms and heavy rain starting tonight. The intense heat is also straining water resources, with the Piedmont region in the north considering increasing water supplies from Switzerland and some municipalities imposing restrictions on drinking water consumption.

Compounding the heat crisis, wildfires continue to rage across various parts of Italy. Emergency services are actively engaged in firefighting operations, and officials are urging the public to exercise caution due to the heightened risk of fires. Environmental organization Greenpeace staged a protest in front of Rome's Colosseum, using melting ice sculptures to highlight the impact of global warming.