Faced with the “heatwave episode early and marked“that crosses France, the government activated a toll-free number on Thursday”Heat wave info service“, until the end of this heat wave, according to a press release from the Minister of Health, Brigitte Bourguignon. Operational since Thursday noon, this toll-free number (0800.06.66.66) can be reached from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (free call from a landline in metropolitan France) for “get advice on how to protect yourself and those around you, especially the most fragile, and how to adopt the right reflexes in the event of high temperatures“.
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It is therefore recommended todrink water regularly and stay cool, do not drink alcohol, avoid exertion, especially during the hottest hours of the day, spend several hours a day in a cool place, eat enough, stay extremely vigilant when swimming to avoid the risk of drowning, give and hear from loved ones“. And, in case of emergency or discomfort, it is recommended to call 15, recalls the Minister of Health in her press release.
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The wave of very strong heat has hitherto affected the regions ranging from the South-West to the Pays-de-la-Loire, as well as the middle Rhône valley. Météo-France has, for the moment, activated the orange alert “heat wave» for 23 departments. And, “the extension of the orange heatwave vigilance to other departments will be very likely on the map this afternoon at 4 p.m.“, indicates its bulletin of Thursday morning.
Record temperatures
Temperature records for the month of June should be broken on Thursday and over the next few days. The worst is yet to come with mercury which should panic again, crossing the 40°C mark locally on Friday. The heat is only expected to begin to subside on Sunday as stormy rains will cause temperatures to plummet.
Attributed to global warming, heat waves are increasing around the world, including in France where this episode is unprecedentedly early.