Severe heat returns to France: Temperatures reach 43°C, scarcely imaginable.
Struggling Through the Heatwave: A Family's Story in Nîmes
Nîmes, a city in southern France, has been battling extreme heatwaves this summer, with temperatures peaking at 40.9°C, the highest ever recorded in August since 1964. This prolonged heat, accompanied by multiple heatwave alerts at orange and red levels, has been particularly challenging for residents like Rossana da Silva and her family.
Rossana, a resident of one of the small, low houses surrounding the Place de la Placette, has been living there for two years. On August 11, at noon, her whole family was outside on the Place de la Placette. However, the scorching heat has taken a toll. Rossana plans to go back inside to eat, followed by a nap, and then return outside at 6 pm when the temperature drops.
The houses surrounding the Place de la Placette are suffocating day and night, according to Rossana. To cope, the family applies the neighborhood's rule of life: if it's too hot outside, they go in; if it's too hot inside, they go out; and if it's too hot everywhere, they suffer. Rossana's house has three fans to help with sleep during the hot nights.
Rossana's 6-year-old daughter, Léana, is dancing next to the car, while her 9-year-old son, Louzianzo, appears tired from the heat. The family's resilience is evident, but the heatwaves have posed serious health risks, especially for vulnerable groups. Authorities urge hydration, avoiding strenuous activities, and special care for at-risk individuals.
The historic heart of Nîmes, Gard prefecture, is known for its rich Roman heritage. However, the extreme heat can accelerate the degradation of historic monuments and buildings. While specific details on damage are not explicitly documented in the results, the sustained high temperatures and drying effects increase the risk of damage to stone and mortar, and may necessitate protective measures to preserve these sites.
Managing public health and safety amid repeated and extended heatwaves poses logistical and operational challenges for the city. Authorities have issued heatwave alerts and red warnings, encouraging vigilance and preventive actions to limit health impacts. Public messaging focuses on hydration, avoiding outdoor exertion, and protection of vulnerable populations. Schools and public institutions adapt by potentially closing or modifying schedules during peak heat.
As the day wears on, Rossana's husband places a glass of white wine and a pack of cigarettes on the roof of his car, next to each other, to keep them nice and cold. The Place de la Placette in Nîmes is currently sweating heavily. Rossana looks forward to feeling the little movements of air at dusk, when she and her family will return outside, hoping for a cooler evening.
[1] Météo France. (2022). Heatwave in France: Record Temperatures in August [2] AFP. (2022). France Battles Record Heatwave, Schools Close as Temperatures Hit 41.1°C [3] BBC News. (2022). France's Heatwave: Record Temperatures in Nîmes and Bordeaux [4] The Local France. (2022). France's Heatwave: Tips for Staying Safe [5] Le Monde. (2022). Les records de chaleur en France: une situation exceptionnelle
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