Italy is facing the most intense phase of its third heat wave of the year, with temperatures expected to approach 45C (113F) in Sardinia as drought conditions trigger water shortages.

The country's heat alert system has expanded as authorities warn of dangerous conditions in central and southern Italy, ANSA news agency reported on Tuesday.

The number of cities under the highest red alert level has increased from Level 2 on Monday to Level 4 on Tuesday, with seven cities expected to reach the highest risk category by Wednesday.

Meteorologists forecast temperatures of 39C (102.2F) to 41C (1.5.8F) in many areas of central and southern Italy, with inland Sardinia expected to peak at 45C (113F) by Friday.

Federico Brescia, a meteorologist, said that the extreme heat would push the freezing level above 5,000 meters (16,404 feet), describing the warming as “extraordinary.”

Florence has been under a red heat alert since July 8 and will remain at the highest risk level until at least Wednesday.

City officials said temperatures are expected to range from 37C (98.6F) to 39C (102.2F), with intense heat beginning in the early morning hours.

Florence and Perugia were under red alert on Monday, while Brescia and Turin were added on Tuesday. Bologna, Frosinone, and Rome are expected to join the highest alert category on Wednesday.

Several other cities, including Rome, Bologna, Genoa, and Verona, remain under orange alerts due to the risks posed to elderly people, children, and vulnerable groups.

Northern Italy's Piedmont region is also struggling with a severe water shortage caused by prolonged heat and a lack of rainfall.

Regional authorities have requested additional water supplies from neighboring areas, including the Aosta Valley and Switzerland’s Canton of Ticino, to support agricultural needs.

Around 100 municipalities in Piedmont have already introduced restrictions on drinking water use, while some mountain communities are relying on tanker trucks for water supplies.

The extreme temperatures have also raised concerns over workplace safety.

In Florence, delivery workers for Glovo and Deliveroo are planning a strike on Wednesday, citing "impossible conditions" caused by the heat wave.

Several Italian regions have introduced restrictions on outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day.

Italy plans to seek water from Switzerland as drought worsens 



While the country battles extreme heat, Italy's northern Piedmont region plans to ask Switzerland's Ticino canton to increase water supplies as worsening drought puts pressure on agriculture and drinking water resources, Keystone-SDA reported on Tuesday.

"We cannot wait a minute longer," Piedmont regional President Alberto Cirio said after convening a round-table meeting on the water crisis on Monday.

Around 100 municipalities have already introduced measures to control drinking water consumption, while water tankers are being deployed in some mountain areas, according to the report.

Piedmont also plans to seek increased water supplies for agricultural use from the neighboring Aosta Valley region, the report added.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Ticino authorities had not received an official request from Piedmont, a cantonal government spokesperson told Keystone-SDA.

Rainfall in the Po basin in June was 36% below the 1991-2020 historical monthly average, while temperatures were 3.5C (6.3F) above average.

At Isola Sant'Antonio near Alessandria, the Po River's average flow was 75% below the historical average.

Farmers' association Coldiretti Turin, according to the report, has also urged a state of emergency for the agricultural sector to enable extraordinary support for farms.

"The situation is rapidly worsening across the whole Turin area," its president, Bruno Mecca Cici, warned.