By Mardiyyah Abubakar
At least 2,700 people have died in England and Wales as a result of heatwaves that hit in May and June, according to a new study released on Monday.
Researchers from Imperial College London, the Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine analysed weather data, climate models, and excess mortality estimates to assess the impact.
The UK and much of Europe endured two record-breaking heatwaves. England recorded 35.1°C in May and 37.7°C in June, marking unprecedented temperatures for those months.
Scientists said the heatwaves arrived unusually early and affected much of western Europe.
The study estimates that extreme heat caused about 550 deaths between May 21 and 29 and nearly 2,200 deaths between June 18 and 28 in England and Wales.
Researchers linked the severity of the heatwaves to climate change. They estimate that global warming pushed daytime temperatures 3°C to 4°C higher than they would have been otherwise.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is expected to release its official estimate of heat-related deaths in the coming weeks.
Last year, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) warned that the UK is not adequately prepared for the effects of climate change.
In May, the committee said 92% of British homes could become too hot by 2050 and urged the government to set maximum workplace temperatures and invest in cooling systems for hospitals and schools.
