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A heatwave sweeping across France this week could be produce similar conditions to August 2003, when extreme heat led to the deaths of more than 14,800 people.
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This year, municipalities such as Biarritz and Limoges are calling for vulnerable people to be entered on local registers so that authorities can maintain contact and check they have everything they need to cope with the soaring temperatures.
The heat will persist over mainland France over the weekend. On Saturday, temperatures will top 30C across the country, while some spots could pass the 40C mark on Sunday and into next week.
Sixty departments are on orange heatwave alert, with 41 million people affected.
In Paris, parks are now open 24 hours a day and the mayor, Emmanuel Grégoire, has questioned whether to go ahead with the Fête de la Musique festival, which is scheduled for Sunday.
“The combination of alcohol, heat and proximity to water are three risk factors that do not sit well together. So we would like to remove at least one of the three, but we will see in which way we do that,” he said on Friday evening.
The Paris police prefect, Patrice Faure, has requested the cancellation of 11 outdoor sporting events planned for this weekend and, across the country, schools and construction sites are adjusting their hours or even closing.
