As Italy grapples with an intense and prolonged heatwave, 17 cities, including Bologna, remain under a red alert indicating emergency conditions that pose serious health risks not only to vulnerable groups but also to healthy and active individuals. This severe heatwave, reported by the Ministry of Health on July 1, 2025, has pushed temperatures to soar as high as 37 degrees Celsius in Bologna and other major cities, with forecasts predicting these conditions will persist well into the coming days.
The Ministry of Health’s heatwave bulletin highlights that the red alert, or level 3 risk, signals "conditions of emergency with possible negative effects on the health of healthy and active people," underscoring the widespread impact of this extreme weather. Cities like Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Florence, Perugia, and Turin have been enduring this red alert since June 26 and will continue to do so until at least July 2, 2025. On July 1, alongside Bologna, cities such as Brescia, Florence, Latina, Palermo, and Rome faced temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius. Milan is expected to join this list on July 2, with other cities like Verona, Trieste, Genoa, Ancona, Viterbo, Rieti, Frosinone, and Campobasso also under heightened risk.
According to ARPAE, Bologna and neighboring municipalities including Casalecchio di Reno, Castel Maggiore, and San Lazzaro di Savena are experiencing significant heat stress, which could lead to discomfort and health complications for residents. The persistence of these elevated temperatures, which are forecasted to remain 6 to 8 degrees above average through the weekend, exacerbates the potential health impacts, particularly as the heatwave stretches on.
In response, the Azienda USL di Bologna has proactively implemented an integrated system of interventions aimed at protecting the population, with a special focus on the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and individuals with chronic illnesses. This system is part of a broader regional strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of heatwaves through prevention, assistance, and communication.
One notable initiative is the e-Care project, coordinated by Azienda USL di Bologna in partnership with the Metropolitan Social and Health Territorial Conference. This program offers periodic phone calls and, if necessary, home assistance to particularly fragile elderly individuals. Residents can access this support via a toll-free number, 800 562 110, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The service not only provides crucial information on preventing and managing heat-related health risks but also facilitates assistance such as transportation and home delivery of medical reports, groceries, and medications.
Additional support is available through the Regional Health Service’s toll-free number, 800 033 033, which operates on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. These resources aim to ensure that residents of Bologna and surrounding areas have access to timely help during this critical period.
To reduce heat-related risks, the Azienda USL di Bologna has issued several practical recommendations. These include drinking plenty of water regularly—even when not feeling thirsty—while avoiding very cold or iced drinks, carbonated beverages, sugary drinks, alcohol, and caffeine. Residents are encouraged to consume abundant fruits and vegetables and to take lukewarm baths or showers to help lower body temperature.
For indoor cooling, the advice is to use air conditioning but to set the temperature with no more than a 6 to 7-degree difference from the outside temperature to avoid shock. Fans can be used to circulate air but should not be directed straight at the body. People are urged to avoid going outdoors during the hottest hours of the day, typically between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and to watch out for individuals who may have trouble orienting themselves, those who are not self-sufficient, and elderly people living alone. More detailed guidance is available on the Azienda USL di Bologna website.
While the heatwave challenges daily life, it has also led to tragic consequences. On July 1, 48-year-old Lazzaro Ait El Hajjam Brahim, owner of Veneto Pavimenti in Treviso, died from heat-related illness while working outdoors on the Jussi school construction site. This heartbreaking incident has prompted calls from the Fllea Cgil labor union for regional authorities to issue protective ordinances safeguarding workers from the dangers of prolonged sun exposure and strenuous physical activity during peak heat hours.
Responding swiftly, the Emilia-Romagna Regional Council approved an ordinance effective from July 2 to September 15, 2025, prohibiting work between 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in agriculture, floriculture, construction, and logistics sectors on days classified as high-risk for heat exposure. Similarly, Lombardy has enacted a comparable ordinance, banning work during the noon to 4 p.m. window on days and in locations flagged by the CNR Worklimate portal as having a high heat risk. These measures aim to reduce heat-related illnesses and fatalities among workers exposed to extreme temperatures.
The heat emergency is not confined to Italy alone. Across Europe, countries from Spain and Portugal to France and the United Kingdom are experiencing scorching conditions, with health alerts issued to address the widespread impact of this unprecedented heatwave. The scale and severity of this climatic event serve as a stark reminder of the growing challenges posed by extreme weather patterns in a warming world.
As residents of Bologna and other affected cities endure these harsh conditions, the combination of government measures, community support programs, and individual precautions will be vital in safeguarding public health. The ongoing commitment to monitoring, communication, and intervention reflects a comprehensive approach to managing the immediate crisis and underscores the importance of preparedness in the face of climate-related emergencies.
