Inside UK's worst heatwave in 500 years - 70m pints, closed schools and 'zombie nation'

dailystar.co.uk:

Britain is on red alert as the nation prepares for a record-breaking 41C three-day heatwave.A national emergency has been declared amid fears Europe’s worst heatwave for 500 years - since Henry VIII was king - could result in power cuts, water shortages and melting roads.Schools across the country are planning to close or send children home early amid fears the heat will be so intense it will cause major health issues and kill the vulnerable.READ MORE: Government issues unprecedented weather warning as 40C forecast for first time everWe’ll be hotter than 39C Dubai on Monday (June 18) as never-before-seen temperatures grind the country to a halt.And longer term, forecasters are predicting hot weather for weeks, into August, as Britain’s summer boils.The Met Office today (Friday, June 15) issued its first ever extreme heat weather red warning across much of England - meaning there is a “risk to life”.Forecasters believe the mercury will easily top the UK’s record temperature of 38.7C (101.7F) set in Cambridge in 2019 and hit 41C.Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said it was a “very serious situation”.He added: “If people have vulnerable relatives or neighbours, now is the time to make sure they’re putting suitable measures in place to be able to cope with the heat because if the forecast is as we think it will be in the red warning area, then people’s lives are at risk.”Hospitality bosses are predicting bumper sales this weekend before the intense heat hits.Revellers will down 70 million pints, 12 million burgers plus 10 million lollies and ice creams but those considering firing up a BBQ are being warned smouldering coals could spark a spate of garden fires.It is also feared unbearable “tropical nights” will keep.