Officials tell Brits to check on vulnerable ahead of 'absolutely unprecedented' heatwave

15 July 2022, 10:37 | Updated: 16 July 2022, 00:32

The Met Office has issued its first ever red weather warning for extreme heat set to hit England at the beginning of next week.

Brits will face a danger to life and serious illness as the sweltering heat worsens in coming days - a more severe warning from the amber alerts issued earlier in the week.

Temperatures are set to soar as high as 40C in London on Tuesday, with other areas in the UK reaching 38C.

Monday will see temperatures peak at 39C in the capital.

Disruption to equipment is likely, which could lead to power losses to essential services such as mobile phones and water supplies, the Met Office has warned.

Met Office chief executive Penny Endersby warning Britons in a dramatic video they people are "not adapted to what is coming" as she warned of "absolutely unprecedented" weather conditions for the UK.

People have been asked to look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated including older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone who are particularly at risk.

Health experts added: "Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animal."

Specific groups have been highlighted as vulnerable including those over 75 years old, people with chronic and severe illness and people who live in top floor flats, homeless people, and those who have jobs that are in hot places or outdoors.

Met Office issues warning for 'unprecedented' level of heat to come

Workers have been warned their days will be different as England adapts to the heat.

Travel disruption is set to make it even more difficult for those planning to head into work, with road, rail and air travel also set to be thrown into chaos.

Herds of sun-seekers are expected to head to the beach to cool off in the sea as well as local lakes and rivers but have been warned that there could be an increase in water safety incidents as a result.

Meanwhile, an amber alert remains in place for Sunday too, spreading across Wales as well as England.

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A 'national emergency' has been declared ahead of Monday, which is only ever introduced when a heatwave is so severe that it extends outside the health and social care system.

Fit and healthy Brits will also face challenges as well as more vulnerable groups.

During an emergency a briefing with UKHSA, England's deputy chief medical officer said he is worried about a repeat of France's deadly heatwave in 2003 as temperatures soar in the UK next week.

The Met Office said they cannot rule out similar heatwaves in August like adding that temperatures above 35 degrees are now expected in the UK every five years - and by the end of the century, they could be seen every year.

The briefing highlighted that the NHS is prepared for an increase in emergency calls and hospital admissions as the heatwave hits the UK.

Experts said the public may see 'extreme changes' in environment next week with ponds and small rivers drying out, but the Environment Agency are not expecting any disruption to water supply.

Grahame Madge, Met Office spokesman, said: "We've just issued a red warning for extreme heat for Monday and Tuesday which is the first such warning ever issued.

"The warning covers an area from London up to Manchester and then up to the Vale of York.

"This is potentially a very serious situation."

The heatwave is also believed to have forced schools in England and Wales close early, cancel sports days and tell students to opt for PE kits instead of uniforms.

The Department for Education earlier issued heatwave advice for schools including encouraging children to wear "loose, light-coloured clothing" and "sun hats with wide brims" to school.

Open windows as early as possible in the morning before children arrive, or overnight to allow stored heat to escape the building, the advice adds.

It also recommends keeping the use of electric light to a minimum and switching off electric equipment, such as computers, when not in use, and using oscillating mechanical fans when temperatures are below 35C, but not above as they may not prevent heat-related illness and could worsen dehydration.

The weather agency has recommended people look out for others, stay hydrated and stay in the shade to deal with the extreme temperatures.

People should close curtains on rooms that face the sun and remember that it may be cooler outdoors than in.

The Met Office added that Brits needs to drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) added that, despite everyone being at risk, elderly people, those with chronic illnesses, and environmental factors will impact how much you are affected.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke could be on the cards for some, which is not serious if you can be cooled down within half an hour, the UKHSA said.

If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.

Only those in emergencies should contact 999, with people needing non-emergency health advice told to use 111.