Portugal has recorded more than a thousand deaths due to the current heat wave. The chief of health warned Tuesday that the country must prepare to deal with the effects of climate change as temperatures continue to rise.
“Portugal is one of the areas on the planet that could be most affected by extreme heat,” warned Graça Freitas, head of the DGS health authority. We have to be increasingly prepared for periods of high temperatures.”
Drought-hit, temperatures across Portugal topped 40 degrees Celsius last week. While they have dipped in recent days, Freitas said they are still above normal levels for this time of year.
High temperatures, drought and poor forest management have been the causes of several fires that have affected Portugal.
Firefighters are also struggling to contain the flames in other southern European nations, including Spain.
