SCORCHING LONDON : Health Alert and Self-care tips

Londoners are sweating it out this week as temperatures breach the 30°C mark, triggering the year’s first amber heat-health alert in the capital. Issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, the warning is in place from 12pm Thursday through 6pm Sunday, covering a stretch of days with forecast going as high as 32°C on Saturday.

Mayor Sadiq Khan urged Londoners to look after vulnerable residents, including older adults, young children, and people with chronic conditions – noting that “temperatures have risen above 30°C today.” He reminded residents that the city offers over 4,000 water refill points and 100+ public fountains, along with designated cool spaces in libraries and leisure centres.

The NHS has activated its heatwave response, advising residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay indoors between 11am–3pm, wear loose, light clothing, and check on isolated or at-risk neighbours.

While this spell doesn’t match the extreme highs of previous years yet, it is already straining services. TfL is monitoring conditions closely after past disruptions, and ambulance trusts are bracing for more heat-related emergencies. Though wildfire alerts have not yet been issued, the London Fire Brigade has warned of dry conditions in open areas.

Temperatures are expected to ease by Monday, with highs in the mid-20s but health authorities stress that even moderate heat can be dangerous without precautions and we might even be looking at a potential hose ban in London and the surrounding Thames valley area like previous years if situations worsen.