London: The UK Met Office issued a warning on Wednesday, indicating a 50:50 likelihood of experiencing record-breaking temperatures in the next 12 years, with the potential for temperatures to soar above 40C. A recent study from the office highlighted that temperatures of 45C or higher "may be possible" as the risk of extreme heat escalates due to climate change.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the study emphasized the necessity for the UK to prepare and strategize for the impacts of rising temperatures. This preparation aims to enhance the protection of public health, infrastructure, and the environment against the increasing threat of extreme heat.
The report further indicated that future heatwaves could persist for a month or longer, with climate models projecting that up to two-thirds of summer days might surpass the heatwave threshold of 28C. This projection follows the first instance of temperatures reaching 40C in the UK during a heatwave in 2022, where temperatures peaked at 40.3C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire on July 19.
The extreme heat in 2022 led to numerous fires, which devastated houses, schools, churches, and farmland. Fire brigades in London, Leicestershire, and South Yorkshire declared major incidents. Additionally, the heatwave caused widespread disruption to transport and power systems, and over 3,000 heat-related deaths were recorded in England, including more than 1,000 excess deaths among older individuals during the four-day peak of the heatwave.