Italy places 27 cities on highest heat alert

Italy’s Health Ministry said on August 4 that all 27 cities in its national heatwave monitoring system would be placed under the highest alert level on Thursday, as the country’s fourth heatwave of the summer intensified. The ministry’s heat bulletins, published from May through September, cover cities including Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence and Venice. Reuters and ANSA reported temperatures were nearing or topping 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the country as the alert expanded nationwide. ### Which cities are covered by the nationwide alert? The Health Ministry said its heatwave bulletin system monitors 27 cities and issues forecasts designed to flag health risks, especially for vulnerable people. On the ministry’s heatwave page, the monitored network includes Ancona, Bari, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Cagliari, Campobasso, Catania, Civitavecchia, Florence, Frosinone, Genoa, Latina, Messina, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Perugia, Pescara, Reggio Calabria, Rieti, Rome, Turin, Trieste, Venice, Verona and Viterbo. (msn.com) ANSA reported on August 3 that 25 of those 27 cities were already on maximum red alert, with Messina and Reggio Calabria the only exceptions that day. By August 4, ANSA said all 27 were set to be on red alert on Thursday. ### What does the highest alert level mean in Italy’s system? (salute.gov.it) Italy’s Health Ministry says heatwaves are periods of very high temperatures lasting several consecutive days, often combined with high humidity, strong solar radiation and limited ventilation, conditions that can pose risks to health. The ministry says the warnings are meant to support prevention measures and protect people considered most vulnerable. (ansa.it) The ministry said its forecasts are produced with technical and scientific support from the Epidemiology Department of the Lazio region. The bulletins are updated Monday through Friday and are also available through the “Caldo e Salute” app, according to the ministry website. ### How hot did it get, and what was reported on deaths? Reuters reported from Rome on August 4 that the fourth heatwave of the summer was intensifying and pushing temperatures toward 40C. (salute.gov.it) Other coverage cited temperatures topping 40C in some areas. Italian and international reports said three deaths were suspected to be linked to the heat. (salute.gov.it) TRT World and other outlets cited those suspected heat-related deaths this week, while Wanted in Milan reported that the death of a 19-year-old farm labourer had intensified debate over outdoor work in extreme temperatures. Because those reports described the deaths as suspected and not yet formally attributed in the ministry material reviewed, officials’ final determinations were not immediately clear. (msn.com) ### Why are officials emphasizing health risks now? The Health Ministry says the alert system is intended to prevent health impacts during prolonged periods of extreme heat and to promote interventions for people at greater risk. Its updated 2026 guidance says the ministry incorporated more recent scientific evidence and World Health Organization regional guidance into its heatwave prevention framework. (aa.com.tr) Reuters reported the current spell was Italy’s fourth heatwave of the summer. That sequence, combined with the nationwide red-alert coverage, put the ministry’s full monitored network under the top warning level at the same time. ### Where can people check what happens next? The Health Ministry said heatwave bulletins will continue to be published through September on its “Ondate di calore” page. (salute.gov.it) The same page says updates are issued on weekdays and include the ministry’s city-by-city forecast map for the 27 monitored locations. Thursday’s bulletin is the immediate next reference point because it is the day all 27 cities were scheduled to be under the highest alert, according to the ministry and Reuters. (msn.com) (salute.gov.it)