Southern Europe is battling wildfires as extreme temperatures and winds create a “perfect storm” here.
The Independent says that Rhodes and Corfu are preparing for another 48 hours of “wildfire hell” even as firefighters are battling blazes in Turkey, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.
Portugal’s weather services authority says that temperatures will peak on Wednesday in Lisbon and Gran Canaria.
Wildfires sweep Greece
Elsewhere in Greece, the prime minister said the weather conditions might improve after Thursday. He urged people to stay indoors and drink plenty of water.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Motsotakis told his government, “All of us are standing guard. In the face of what the entire planet is facing, especially the Mediterranean, which is a climate change hot spot, there is no magical defence mechanism.”
The fire brigade in Greece has spent two weeks battling more than 500 fires so far. The country’s weather service predicts that some parts of Greece will experience new heathwaves exceeding 44 degree Celsius.
A deadly blaze in Rhodes island has forced the largest evacuation in Greece’s history. More than 20,000 people fled homes and hotels, says The Independent.
Another 2,000 people have left the island of Corfu, which has been “enduring dozens of fires.”
Calais fire under control
Meanwhile, a fire in a popular Portuguese travel destination is now under control. The blaze which began on Tuesday afternoon in Cascais has died down now, but the fire department says it will stay around for some more time.
Elisio Oliveira, a fire department official said the blaze no longer posed any danger but he cautioned people to stay alert.
Local and international news media say that more than 600 firefighters and water bombing planes were pressed into service. No injuries and casualties were reported.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER.
