the country with the most deaths

The high temperatures and extreme heat wreak havoc, and scientists are constantly trying to convey the gravity of the situation: a study claims that, by the end of the century, number of deaths for these reasons will triple in Europeand Spain will be the most affected country. And it is not something that comes as a surprise. In recent months, different areas of the country have overcome the 42 degreessomething that has caused the death of hundreds of people.

The scientific study, published by the British scientific journal ‘The Lancet Public’, states that by the year 2100 it is possible that about 130,000 people die across Europe due to rising temperatures, three times higher than those currently experienced on the European continent: 43,729 deathsIn addition, experts go further and talk about the countries most affected by this progressive and general rise in temperatures.

Three times as many deaths

While deaths from extreme heat continue to rise and scientists warn that they could triple in Europe within 76 years, deaths attributed to cold are falling slightly and are from the current 363,809 to 333,703 in 2100. Meanwhile, although Italy and Greece are also seriously affected, Spain is the country where the mortality rate would increase the most. The study by ‘The Lancet Public’ states that the death rate will increase from 4,414 to 1,000. 20,194 deaths per 10,000 inhabitants.

It should be noted that within Europe, the variety of climates between different countries is very pronounced. The climate of Denmark has nothing to do with that of Italy, for example, so it is not surprising that the effects and forecasts for each of them it will be different. Thus, experts speak of two countries that would see an increase in the number of deaths due to cold: Norway and Swedendue to the aging of the population.

Specific policies

David Garcia-Leon, researcher at the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) says that “there is a critical need to develop more specific policies to protect these areas and the members of society most vulnerable to extreme temperatures.” Still, experts also warn that These data are not definitiveas they are based in urban areas where temperatures tend to be extreme and higher.

In this line, the different countries are working on the adoption and implementation of new measures to combat the situation. In the case of Spain, the authorities have reported on the new ‘National Plan for Preventive Actions against the Effects of Excessive Temperatures on Health’. In it, one of the most notable measures is the Weather Alert Zone used by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), capable of sending different notices and alerts due to high temperatures to prepare the population, raise awareness of the dangers and enable them to adapt their daily lives and routines to protect their health as much as possible.

Heat and storms

As for current temperatures and weather, stability reigns throughout the peninsula, although the arrival of storms and heavy rains is anticipated in different parts of Spain. The communities that have activated the yellow alert due to heavy rainfall and storms are Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia, Aragon, Catalonia and Valencian Community; these last three also due to heat, as well as Madrid, Navarra, La Rioja and the Canary Islands, where a warning has also been activated due to coastal phenomena.

Although stability is the main feature of the week, accumulations of water are expected due to rainfall. up to 25 liters per square metre in the Murcia region, where storms may be accompanied by hail and very strong gusts of wind, as in many other areas of the western peninsula.