Heat waves with record temperatures around 40 degrees was recorded on Sunday throughout Italy.

According to meteorologists, on 1 July was on the Apennines, the hottest day this year. In addition, in the long history of meteorological observations only 2 July 2003 in the country were recorded even higher temperatures.

Anticyclone called "Charon" brought this weekend on the Apennines huge mass of hot air from North Africa, resulting in a mercury thermometer in many settlements reached 40 degrees. Sunday afternoon in Perugia, the temperature rose to 39C, in Bologna - to 38, Rome and Florence - to 37, in Naples to 35. Record temperature was accompanied by exceptionally high level of humidity, which in many cities have created an atmosphere unbearable stuffiness.

National service of Civil defense was introduced in some areas of Italy, including in Emilia-Romagna, seriously affected by two devastating earthquakes in may, the mode of increased danger from Friday 29 June to Monday 2 July. According to the information of the local media, in the tent camps, where temporarily reside thousands of people who lost their homes because of natural disasters, has been truly dramatic situation. Temperatures in tents, despite air conditioning, now reaches 50 degrees.

The authorities of the region of Umbria declared a state of emergency because of the heat wave. In Tuscany, a particular concern of the local authorities cause prolonged absence of rain: established there drought is the most powerful for the last 100 years. Even in the Northern region of Trentino-Alto Adige were taken extraordinary measures due to the fact that the air temperature in many settlements located in the mountains, exceeded 35 degrees.

Suffocating heat resulted in the first victims in the so-called "risk group", which includes, first of all, older people suffering from chronic diseases. For last days in Italy from the abnormal heat died already four elderly. In addition, there were several acts of not quite adequate behavior under the action of heat, ended in death. So, the media reported the death of 28-year-old Romanian worker who, in search of a cool last night climbed on the roof of his house, slept there and died after falling to a seven-meter height.

Meteorologists warn that "Charon" will not give up their positions, possibly in the whole of the next week. On Monday, the maximum "red" severity will be assigned immediately to 15 major cities of Italy, where the expected temperature of around 40 degrees.

The Ministry of health of Italy, June 20, began a massive campaign to inform the public about the dangers of heat for health, under the name of "Quiet summer: how to beat the heat". The country has a free telephone line 1500, which experts daily answer all the questions of the citizens.

In this situation doctors strongly recommend not to go out during the hottest time of day and to drink more water. The Ministry of health distributed official recommendations, consisting of 10 points, in which physicians remind, how to behave in extreme heat.