Scientists said the \u2060heatwave would have been virtually impossible without the human-made \u200bclimate crisis, which has made this week\u2019s night-time temperatures 100 times more likely than they would have been two decades ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe heatwave is going to peak at the weekend at well over 40 degrees in some parts of Germany,\u201d said Karsten Brandt, a meteorologist at the weather \u2060forecasting site Donnerwetter.<\/p>\n
A German record of 41.3C was reached near the city of Saarbr\u00fccken close to the French border on Friday, a spokesperson for Germany\u2019s national meteorological service said, noting the reading was still preliminary.<\/p>\n
The service issued extreme heat warnings for nearly all of Germany on Saturday as authorities \u2060urged people to save water.<\/p>\n
It said temperatures of 36C were expected across the country with local highs of 42C possible.<\/p>\n
In France, dozens of people young and old have \u200bdied during the heatwave. Temperatures above 40C have disrupted rail travel and power generation, prompted alcohol \u200cbans and school suspensions, and led to outdoor events being postponed.<\/p>\n
People fill bottles from a public water fountain in Venice on Saturday. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Italy\u2019s health ministry issued \u200ca red alert for the heatwave in 18 Italian cities including Milan, Rome, Turin, Venice, Genoa, Florence and Bologna for Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 39C in some \u200careas.<\/p>\n
The French prime minister\u2019s office said although the heatwave was moving on, pressure on the healthcare system would persist and hospital admissions would stay high for several days.<\/p>\n
Reports of wildfires in France are up compared with the same period last year as a result of the heatwave, officials say.<\/p>\n
Some public service providers, struggling with the prospect of damage to infrastructure, including buckling roads and train tracks, have sought \u200cto reduce traffic.<\/p>\n
Germany\u2019s national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, has given customers the option of cancelling long-distance travel bookings into early next week without charge.<\/p>\n
The company said its infrastructure was under particular strain because of sun exposure and additional risk to signals, tracks and overhead wires stemming from thunderstorms and wildfires.<\/p>\n
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