Compared to the heat wave in 2003 that killed 12,000 people in Italy, the heat wave this time was more severe but the death rate was reduced. Air and weather quality monitoring specialist at the National Institute of Environmental Research and Protection Franco Desiato confirmed that all measurement methods show that the annual temperature increases. Last year, Italy experienced a hot summer season, but this summer, though it only passed half of the time, the temperature is likely to exceed the previous year’s record.

The director of the Lazio Regional Health Authority, including Rome, Paola Michelozzi said that after the extremely hot summer of 2003, Italy applied a plan to prevent damage due to heat in subsequent years. This plan includes community information campaigns that provide guidance in dealing with extreme weather conditions, such as indoors when the daytime temperature is at its highest, increasing the intake of drinking water , fluid for the body and attention to those who are easily affected in the community.

The plan also includes establishing an emergency system, giving warnings and financial support to cities. In this heat wave, 16 cities including the capital of Rome, Venice and Florance have been placed on high alert. In addition, improving the quality of medical care is also an important factor in reducing the number of deaths.

The heat wave peaked in 2019 is expected to end by the end of this week when the average daytime temperature falls 5 degrees Celsius across Italy.