On Monday 49 départements are on red alert – the highest alert level, indicating a danger to life – for extreme temperatures, the first time this has happened since the alert system was introduced in 2004. Monday is predicted to be the hottest day of the heatwave so far, with temperatures of 40C in large swathes of France and up to 43C in the south west. However Météo France predicts that temperatures will climb still further before the heatwave ends. READ ALSO: When will France’s
‘unprecedented’ heatwave end? Being on red alert gives local authorities a number of extra powers and responsibilities – they must organise cool rooms, adequate drinking water points and emergency shelters for the homeless, and they also have the power to cancel events on health grounds. Temporary bans on the consumption of alcohol in public places such as parks and on the street can also be imposed, although this does not affect the sale of alcohol in bars and cafés. Across France, 845 schools are closed
while a further 1,800 have altered their opening hours to adapt to the heat. The Paris region has put forward a €1 million budget to allow schools to buy temporary solutions such as portable air conditioners for the classrooms. A primary school teacher in the Bordeaux region, who asked to remain anonymous to speak freely, told AFP she was alarmed that the authorities were not taking measures to cool down schools. “Last week, it was 32C in the classroom for the children. “It’s only going
to get worse, while the supermarket across the street is cool and air-conditioned,” she said. “Everyone thinks it’s normal, but one day we’re going to end up teaching in the aisles of the supermarket.” However, the end-of-school baccalauréat exams are continuing, with 530,000 teenagers due to take exams this week. But due to the heat, some local authorities have moved the dates and times of the oral section of the exams. Some national train lines are disrupted, with Intercité routes especially affected by cancellations. SNCF
boss Jean Castex has advised people in high-risk groups to consider postponing their train trips over the next few days. In the greater Paris region, transport is disrupted, especially on the suburban RER and Transilien services. Regional transport boss Valérie Pécresse said: “Because the rails cannot withstand temperatures above 50C, there is going to be a lot of disruption to transport services. “There will be service reductions depending on weather conditions and the condition of the rolling stock.” She added that air conditioning on trains
would not be adequate for “a packed rush hour at 40C”. The disruption is concentrated on rail services, with Metro lines running largely as normal – conditions on the network are extremely hot, and passengers are advised to take water and hand-held fans with them. People who feel faint are asked to remain on the platform to avoid disrupting services. Emergency services are reporting a big spike in calls during the heatwave, especially in towns – Paris saw a 60 percent increase on Sunday evening,
the night of the Fête de la musique, Rennes reported a 50 percent increase and Toulouse a 20 percent increase. People living in the départements on red alert are advised to follow advice from their local préfecture or mairie and adapt plans for work or travel if possible. For advice on staying cool and safe during extreme temperatures, check out our Heatwave Guides
France heatwave, red alert, 49 départements, schools closed, baccalauréat exams, SNCF, Intercité, RER, Transilien, emergency services