Heat ‘Control Room’ Opens at Health Ministry to Combat Deadly Heatwave in Italy

Rome: A special government ‘control room’ for the emergency caused in Italy by a fierce and deadly heatwave that has claimed the lives of at least nine people will be operational from Friday, Health Minister Orazio Schillaci announced. This initiative aims to address the challenges posed by the intense heat impacting various regions across the country.

According to Ansa News Agency, the control room will involve collaboration among the Health Protection Department, the Civil Protection Department, the Prevention Department of the Lazio Region, and the workplace accident insurance agency INAIL. This joint effort is a part of the government’s strategy to manage the crisis effectively.

The relentless heat continues to engulf Italian cities, with the heatwave expected to peak on Friday. As a precautionary measure, 20 cities have been placed on red alert, indicating that the heat poses a threat not only to vulnerable groups such as the sick and elderly but also to healthy individuals. The cities on red alert include Ancona, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Campobasso, Florence, Frosinone, Genoa, Latina, Milan, Palermo, Perugia, Pescara, Rieti, Rome, Turin, Trieste, Venice, Verona, and Viterbo.

In response to the crisis, a protocol addressing Italy’s heat emergency has been signed between the government, unions, and employers. This agreement, established at the labour ministry, aims to prevent people from working outdoors during the hottest hours of the day and will be enforced through an emergency decree.

As Italy grapples with the scorching temperatures, relief is anticipated over the weekend with the forecast of torrential summer storms. These storms are expected to be particularly severe in areas where the heat has significantly intensified the atmosphere, providing a temporary respite from the oppressive conditions.