Hundreds of people could die in the UK this year because of heatwaves, an expert has warned.
2,500 people died during extreme heat last year, 1,700 in August alone, the highest number since 2004.
London School of Economics climate scientist Bob Ward has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to warn the country wi not properly prepared for growing risks from hot weather, reports The Mirror.
Mr Ward said: “We are in the middle of a natural disaster with hundreds of people dying across England and Wales.
“Most of those who are dying are elderly or have underlying respiratory illnesses, living in houses and care homes that are prone to overheating.
“Many of these deaths could have been prevented if the Government had implemented a national heat risk strategy.”
The Met Office amber level 3 heat health warning has been extended to Friday. The weather experts issued their first ever heat warning on Monday.
It is understood two people died from a heart attack and “heat stroke” due to the extreme weather, while the drowning death toll reached 11.
A 15-year-old died in Yorkshire on Tuesday after entering a canal.
Prof Hannah Cloke, from the University of Reading, said: “Heat really is a silent killer. Heatwaves almost literally creep into people’s homes and kill them.”
She called for a better heat health plan to save lives and also heat-safe buildings.
Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far – 32.2C at Heathrow Airport in West London.
Britain will be hotter than Spain and Greece over the next three days, with forecasters predicting a peak of 33C.
Torrential rain, lightning, large hail and gusty winds hit parts of the South-East on Tuesday after a yellow thunderstorm warning, as well as increased risks of power cuts.
There was flooding in numerous locations and a lightning strike started a fire in Kent.
As the country sweltered, roads began to melt requiring emergency repairs.
In Gloucestershire, works were carried out on the A38 and Somerset County Council said routes were affected.
The RSPCA urged owners to walk dogs early in the morning to stop heatstroke.
Outbreaks of extreme weather have now been reported worldwide with record floods and forest fires sparking emergencies around the globe.
As Germany attempts to recover from last week’s floods, firefighters in Oregon, US, battle forest infernos.
Fires in Siberia have choked nearly 50 cities and in China rivers have burst in Henan.
In India, 35 were killed in “monstrous” monsoons.
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