London faces frazzling in heatwave over 40°C, warns Government in new risk report
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London could frazzle in temperatures of more than 40°C as the planet warms, the Government is warning. The Tube, rail and buses could be disrupted, tens of thousands more workers may stay at home, and water supplies could be hit. Ministers raised the alarm over the dangers of soaring temperatures and global warming in its updated National Risk Register for 2025.
The 187-page document assesses the scale of the dangers, and likelihood of them happening, ranging from a terrorist attack, nuclear incident, riots, cyber strikes, wars and weather events, including in space. A high temperature emergency was rated as having a “significant” impact and a three out of five likelihood.
“Climate change means that the risk of extreme heat has become more likely in the UK, with this trend expected to continue over the coming decades,” the report stresses on the risks of high temperatures. It outlined a “reasonable worst-case scenario” of an extended period of high temperatures impacting on between half and 70 per cent of the UK’s population.
“This would take place over 5 consecutive days, with maximum temperatures exceeding 35°C,” it explained. “Temperatures may approach or exceed 40°C in some places, with this most likely in parts of south-eastern, eastern, or central England,” it added, with London part of the south-eastern area.
