Spain Battles First Summer Heatwave: Relief Efforts in Full Swing

Red Cross volunteers are distributing essentials to homeless people in Cordoba as Spain faces its first intense heatwave of the summer. Authorities have issued health alerts and transported people to air-conditioned shelters. Experts link the extreme weather to climate change, warning of high wildfire risks and potential fatalities.

In the southern city of Cordoba, Red Cross volunteers are stepping up their efforts, distributing gazpacho soup, water, and soft drinks to homeless residents as Spain braces for its first significant heatwave of the summer. The sweltering conditions pose severe health risks, necessitating urgent relief measures.

Jose Miguel Sanchez, 59, expressed his gratitude towards the volunteers serving him and his partner on a street in the city centre on Thursday night. Highlighting their importance, Sanchez remarked that a woman had offered them temporary shelter to avoid the blistering sun.

The national weather service AEMET forecasted that Friday's heatwave would blanket most of Spain, with temperatures expected to hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and reaching up to 43 C in regions like Cordoba. Saturday may see some Mediterranean coastal areas ascending to 44 C, though a slight cooldown is expected elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Madrid authorities transported homeless individuals to air-conditioned facilities, providing food, drinks, and hygiene areas. As health alerts proliferate, there is an escalating risk of wildfires across Spain. Experts attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires to rising temperatures exacerbated by climate change. Last year, extreme heat led to nearly 11,000 deaths in Spain, research by the national Scientific Research Council (CSIC) shows, based on mortality rates and AEMET temperature data.

(With inputs from agencies.)