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26th Jun 2019

Dozens of schools closed in France as European heatwave intensifies

Dave Hanratty

london heatwave

Temperatures in the region are expected to rise above 40 degrees.

Around 50 schools have been closed in the Essone region of France, just south of Paris, as a heatwave takes hold.

On Thursday, further schools will be shut in the Val-de-Marne and Seine-et-Marne regions of Paris, with temperatures expected to soar above 40 degrees celsius.

Spain, meanwhile, is set for 45C heat on Friday, thanks to an “enormous reservoir” of exceptionally hot air that has blown in from the Sahara desert.

June looks set to be a record-breaking month for France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium on the hot weather front.

BBC reports that the schools in question lack sufficient air conditioning to deal with the conditions, with France currently on orange alert.

Country-wide exams have also been postponed, per the order of French Minister for National Education Jean-Michel Blanquer.

Only the least polluting vehicles are currently allowed on the roads in Paris and Lyon, while drivers in the French capital are being offered free parking spaces in a bid to encourage people to avail of public transport instead.

Charity volunteers have also taken to the streets to distribute water to homeless people.

Back at home, Met Éireann has issued a status yellow high temperature warning for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick.

The warning is valid from Thursday 27 June at 1pm and is in place until 7pm on that same evening.

On Wednesday afternoon, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service issued a wildfire warning concerning Thursday’s weather.

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