Italy heat alert all 27 cities

Italy has placed all 27 of its major cities under the highest heat alert (Level 3 red) for the first time this year, as the country's fourth heatwave of the summer intensifies. Temperatures have reached up to 40°C in some areas, and the extreme heat is forecast to persist for at least another week. The heatwave has been linked to four deaths, including outdoor workers in Lombardy and a security guard in Bologna. The heat has exacerbated drought conditions in the Italy — Po (river) valley, with over 100 towns in Piedmont and Lombardy facing water supply difficulties. Agriculture is under strain, with reduced crop yields, accelerated grape ripening, and a 10% drop in milk production. Tourist cities like Rome are offering free access to air-conditioned venues and extending hours at monuments. Scientists, including Lorenzo Giovannini of the University of Trento, attribute the increasing intensity and duration of heatwaves to human-caused climate change, noting Europe has warmed at about twice the global average.