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Heat Wave Hits Europe
Aired August 05, 2003 - 15:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Temperature records are being broken across Europe, as the continent bakes under a relentless heat wave. The hot weather has sparked a rash of wildfires. And all across the continent, from Britain to Russia, other problems are cropping up as the heat wave drags on.
The latest now from CNN's Paula Hancocks.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's all very well if you're a tourist enjoying the sun in Britain, but, if you're a commuter, it's a nightmare. The heat is causing havoc with Britain's public transport system. Many trains have been traveling at half their usual speed over the last couple of days amid concerns that the tracks could buckle in the heat.
VICKY CANN, TRANSPORT 2000: Many passengers are going to be very, very frustrated today, as their journeys are going to be even hotter than they normally would or they are just going to be disrupted because trains have been canceled. Hearing of an excuse like this is not going to cut much ice with them.
HANCOCKS: Britain could challenge its record temperature this Wednesday. Germany is also approaching its record of 40 degrees centigrade hit back in 1983. While the children may enjoy it, animals in Frankfurt Zoo are seeking the shade. Some zoos are giving ice lollies with rosemary in to help cool down their tigers. And the Moscow Zoo gave its polar bears a special treat to keep cool, an artificial snow machine.
France's record of 44 degrees Celsius, hit in 1923, could be safe. But the temperature for the capital is currently a third higher than the norm.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's OK if you're on holiday, but I would not like to be working in this weather.
HANCOCKS: Italy has been suffering blackouts for a few weeks, the heat affecting the cities the most.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not raining. Energy consumption (INAUDIBLE) A lot of people is using the air conditioning, which didn't happen so often in the past. Air conditioning is not so common in Italy as maybe in the United States.
HANCOCKS: Weather forecasters are predicting Europe's heat wave will last at least for the rest of the week.
Paula Hancocks, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 5, 2003 - 15:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Temperature records are being broken across Europe, as the continent bakes under a relentless heat wave. The hot weather has sparked a rash of wildfires. And all across the continent, from Britain to Russia, other problems are cropping up as the heat wave drags on.
The latest now from CNN's Paula Hancocks.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's all very well if you're a tourist enjoying the sun in Britain, but, if you're a commuter, it's a nightmare. The heat is causing havoc with Britain's public transport system. Many trains have been traveling at half their usual speed over the last couple of days amid concerns that the tracks could buckle in the heat.
VICKY CANN, TRANSPORT 2000: Many passengers are going to be very, very frustrated today, as their journeys are going to be even hotter than they normally would or they are just going to be disrupted because trains have been canceled. Hearing of an excuse like this is not going to cut much ice with them.
HANCOCKS: Britain could challenge its record temperature this Wednesday. Germany is also approaching its record of 40 degrees centigrade hit back in 1983. While the children may enjoy it, animals in Frankfurt Zoo are seeking the shade. Some zoos are giving ice lollies with rosemary in to help cool down their tigers. And the Moscow Zoo gave its polar bears a special treat to keep cool, an artificial snow machine.
France's record of 44 degrees Celsius, hit in 1923, could be safe. But the temperature for the capital is currently a third higher than the norm.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's OK if you're on holiday, but I would not like to be working in this weather.
HANCOCKS: Italy has been suffering blackouts for a few weeks, the heat affecting the cities the most.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's not raining. Energy consumption (INAUDIBLE) A lot of people is using the air conditioning, which didn't happen so often in the past. Air conditioning is not so common in Italy as maybe in the United States.
HANCOCKS: Weather forecasters are predicting Europe's heat wave will last at least for the rest of the week.
Paula Hancocks, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
