France has decided to close 845 schools today due to an ongoing extreme heatwave affecting the country. Authorities have also raised weather alerts, with 49 departments placed under red alert and 40 under orange alert.
According to a statement from the French meteorological agency, Meteo-France, 35 departments were under red alert and 45 under orange alert on Sunday because of the unusually high temperatures.
The alert level will be increased today, with 49 departments classified under the highest red alert and 40 under orange alert.
The extreme heat is also disrupting the academic calendar. French Minister of National Education Edouard Geffray told France 3 that 845 schools would remain closed due to the heat, while around 1,800 schools would modify their teaching schedules to protect students and staff from the soaring temperatures.
Meanwhile, many Parisians sought relief from the heat by swimming in the Saint-Martin Canal in the French capital.