France issues top red alert as heatwave set to affect 26 million

PARIS, France — France's meteorological agency has issued its highest-level red heat alert for 35 departments across the central and western parts of the country, effective from Sunday, warning that the coming heatwave will reach "exceptional" levels similar to those of July 2019 and August 2003. The agency said the duration of the heatwave remains uncertain. A further 45 departments have been placed on orange alert. The red alert alone covers more than 26 million people in an area stretching from the Paris region southwestward, and the red and orange alerts combined affect roughly 53 million people nationwide. In the Paris region, the southwest and Burgundy, temperatures on Sunday are expected to reach 39–40°C, hitting 41°C in some areas. The government has banned alcohol sales in red-alert departments during Sunday's nationwide Fête de la Musique concerts and activated an interministerial crisis unit. France's 2003 heatwave caused around 15,000 deaths, prompting the government in 2004 to establish the current color-coded alert system.