(Adnkronos) – British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will chair an emergency meeting of the Cobra committee to address the extreme heatwave affecting the United Kingdom, which is grappling with widespread fires and drought. According to The Guardian, temperatures could reach 33 degrees today and 38 on Thursday, when rare amber alerts for “extreme heat” will come into effect in London and several areas of England. “We know how challenging this summer is proving to be, particularly for firefighters battling blazes, farmers working in drought conditions, and healthcare staff in busy emergency rooms,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
The country is experiencing its fifth heatwave of the summer and has already recorded 35 consecutive days with temperatures of at least 30 degrees, surpassing the previous annual record of 34 days set in 1995, according to Met Office data. Green Party leader Zack Polanski called the Cobra convocation “just a first step,” demanding more decisive measures against the climate crisis, including a tax on fossil fuel giants to fund firefighting helicopters and a halt to new oil and gas extractions in the North Sea.
