National heat plan in four provinces from Wednesday; Third time this year
The National Heat Plan takes effect Wednesday in the Dutch provinces of Limburg, North Brabant, Gelderland, and Overijssel, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) said. It is the third time this year the plan has been activated.
According to the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), temperatures in the southeast could locally climb to 35 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Around 29 degrees is expected in the northwest.
The plan’s purpose is to alert informal caregivers and care staff that the people they look after are often vulnerable to heat. The RIVM recommends drinking a sufficient amount of liquids and keeping indoor spaces cool. Going outdoors only in the morning and evening is recommended.
The National Heat Plan was previously activated this year on July 11 and July 18. On July 11, temperatures reached about 34 degrees Celsius in Limburg, Noord-Brabant, and Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. On the 18th, the south again saw the temperatures rise up to around 39 degrees. Code yellow weather warnings were issued on both dates.
