A number of schools are set to close early and millions of homeowners are facing calls to limit their water usage this week – as temperatures tipped to hit as high as 40°C in parts of the UK.
The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday in the face of extreme heat and humidity, with large parts of England and Wales set to see the mercury soar beyond 37°C.
One Surrey hospital declared a critical incident while South East Water has urged customers in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to only use water for essential purposes.
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Its 2.3m customers were asked to stop refilling paddling pools, hot tubs and jet washing, and only use water for washing, drinking and cooking. However, the water giant said a full hosepipe ban was not in place.
