France has activated an emergency plan due to the abnormal heat
The French government has activated the Orsec emergency response plan due to the extreme heat that has swept across much of the country. This mechanism is typically used only during large-scale natural disasters, such as floods.
The Orsec plan is a government system for coordinating emergency services and providing assistance to the public during emergencies.
Authorities reported that the plan will be activated in all departments where the highest—“red”—level of meteorological danger has been declared. As of Saturday, there are 24 such departments.
In addition, meteorologists have issued an “orange” weather alert in 59 other departments, which also indicates high risks to the public due to the hot weather.
French government spokesperson Maud Brezon emphasized that the authorities had prepared in advance for the worsening weather conditions.
“Consultations were held, opinions were exchanged, and work was carried out,” she said.
The implementation of the Orsec plan is intended to ensure a rapid response from emergency services, coordination among government agencies, and protection of the population in the regions most affected by the extreme heat.
This was reported by Euronews.
As a reminder, Belgium has recorded a sharp rise in mortality amid a severe heat wave. According to the Sciensano public health institute, the excess mortality rate reached 47%—the highest figure since records began in 2000.
Earlier, average nuclear power generation in France fell below 33 GW, the lowest level in the past nine months, due to the need to limit output at nuclear power plants. The reduction was caused by a critical rise in water temperatures in the rivers used to cool the reactors.
In Paris, officials attributed part of the blame for the record-breaking heatwave in Europe to the United States.
