Europe heatwave 2023: Is it safe to travel to Italy, France and Spain now? Can you claim refunds on cancelling plans?
livemint.comEurope is witnessing record high temperature and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has predicted that heat wave in the northern hemisphere is set to intensify further in the next few days. In a typical scene in Italy, where the temperature is expected to top 40C on Wednesday, tourists are seen trying to keep cool by splashing in fountains and standing under giant fans set up outside the Colosseum.
Many have cut their travel plans short. "(I) got a lot of pain in the head, legs and (my) fingers swelled up and I became more and more dizzy," Anita Elshoy told Reuters about her heat-related symptoms and hence, decided to cut short her trip to Rome In southern France, a record 29.5C was recorded in the Alpine ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, while 40.6C had been recorded for the first time in Verdun in the foothills of the Pyrenees. If you are planning to travel to Europe now, go with the mindset that it is going to be extremely hot and hence, the experience won't be too pleasant. Red alerts have been issued in Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
In Italy itself, 20 cities were under red alert heat advisories on Tuesday. This will rise to 23 from today A heatwave red alert is issued when the heat is so intense it poses a threat to the whole population However, if you still decide to travel, it's important to protect yourself from the heat by using sunscreen, avoiding the hottest parts of the day, and staying hydrated.
Drinking alcohol should be avoided as it can increase the risk of dehydration. It's also essential to have travel insurance for medical emergencies.
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