World News

Meltdown Monday: Epic heatwave stuns UK, here’s how it is making headlines

July 18, 2022
Bharat Times

The front pages of newspapers in Britain were dominated by heatwave warnings on Monday as the weather forecaster issued its first-ever red “extreme heat” warning for parts of England on Monday and Tuesday. With the Met office forecasting that the temperature could reach 40 degrees Celsius for the first time in the country, a national emergency has been declared for the two days.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen had last week predicted a 50 per cent chance of temperatures topping 40 degrees Celcius and an 80 per cent chance of that new maximum temperature would be reached. As per Reuters, the highest ever recorded temperature in Britain was 38.7 degrees Celsius, recorded on July 25, 2019.

Parts of Europe are reeling under a severe heatwave condition due to wildfires raging across Portugal, Spain, France, Greece and Croatia. On Sunday, authorities across southern Europe battled to control huge wildfires in these countries, with hundreds of deaths blamed on soaring temperatures that scientists say are consistent with climate change.

Also, Britain’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised the heat health warning to Level 4 for England for Monday and Tuesday, news agency Reuters reported. A Level 4 red alert is defined as a national emergency, and is used when a heatwave “is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system. At this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups.”

Here is how the global media covered the heatwave in Britain:

The Guardian

The Guardian leads with the weather and a picture of firefighters on duty in France with a headline — “Red alert: ‘ferocious’ heatwave set to send temperatures beyond 40C”. It says that the UK’s first ever red warning for exceptional heat came into force at midnight, with temperatures expected to climb up to 41C (105.8F) over the next two days, breaking the country’s heat records.

The Mirror

“Blowtorch Britain” says the Mirror, as “42C record heat is on”. The “revellers” shown jumping into the sea at Brighton look happy enough to brave the conditions. “Sweltering heat has the potential to endanger life and create havoc from shutting schools to halting public transport,” writes the Voice of the Mirror.

Metro

The Metro also showcased the frontpage with “Meltdown Monday” with three pointers — Britain’s hottest day is forecast, It’s set to top 40 degrees Celsius for first time and unprecedented red health alert.

Telegraph

The Telegraph has used both the words — heatwave and meltdown–in the headline to make it “Heatwave meltdown brings UK to a halt”. It also mentions that the trains have been cancelled and people have been asked to stay at home as temperatures build to record levels.

The Sun

The Sun has described the weather by comparing it to India, Pakistan and Algeria. The headline of the paper was “Hotter than the Sahara…and India..and Pakistan..and Algeria..and Ethiopia”. The strap across the top of an aerial beach picture is “Super scorchio” and the paper predicts “Beaches full as offices and schools shut”.

The Times

The Times, with a big beach picture, says “Schools told to stay open as temperatures climb towards record”.

Also Read | England faces first-ever red weather warning over extreme heat wave

Also Read | Wildfires rage in France, Spain amid scorching heatwave across Europe

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