British holidaymakers are a popular tourist destination are being warned of a heatwave which is being forecast to go over the 40C mark. The Balearic Ministry of Health has issued a warning for people to ‘take extreme precautions’ ahead of what will be a second heatwave in the area this month, including Mallorca.
The main islands in the Balearics are Majorca, Menorca/Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. People are being warned that this heatwave will last longer than the first, which saw predicted temperatures of 44C in mid-July.
The Directorate General of Public Health has urged people to avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol, eat light meals, reserve physical activity for the first or last hours of the day, drink plenty of water and wear light, cool clothing made from natural fabrics.
People should also never leave people or animals inside a parked and closed vehicle, but should pay special attention to babies, the elderly and workers who work outdoors.
According to the territorial delegation of the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) in the Balearics, temperatures may exceed 40C. Minimum temperatures will also be high, between 22C and 28C.
Public health advisers have gone so far as to warn Brits that their holidays are ‘at risk’ due to the extreme heat. Héctor Tejero, the head of health and climate change at Spain’s health ministry, said “vulnerable” tourists may not be able to cope with the heat. Mr Tejero said: “It’s a real risk because the big Spanish sol y playa tourist areas – the areas that are most dependent on tourism – are places where the impact of climate change is going to be greatest in Spain.”