The heatwave sweeping across Europe has triggered top-level alerts in Switzerland and Belgium. The Swiss Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss) raised the alert to red for a large area below 800 meters above sea level, including the western cities of Geneva and Basel as well as the canton of Valais.
Daytime temperatures in the red alert zones are expected to range between 34 and 38 degrees, with nighttime lows of 18 to 23 degrees. The highest temperatures are forecast from the afternoon of July 29 through Thursday evening. The Level 4 warning for Geneva will remain in effect until August 5.
Officials warned that high temperatures could seriously threaten cardiovascular health and overall well-being, advising people to drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day, stay in the shade, and avoid strenuous physical activity during the hottest hours. Temperatures are expected to stay above 30 degrees until early next week.
National plan activated in Belgium
Meanwhile, Belgium's Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) extended the heatwave warning until Saturday night. With temperatures forecast to reach up to 35 degrees, the country is maintaining its "national heatwave plan" and "yellow alert" status.
Belgium had reactivated its national heatwave plan earlier this week as temperatures climbed. The institute urged particular caution for the elderly and other vulnerable groups during the heatwave.
According to the European Mortality Monitoring Network (EuroMOMO), Belgium recorded Europe's highest excess death rate of 48 percent during the late June heatwave. This data is heightening concerns about the potential effects of the current heatwave.
