Heatwave, humidity to grip US

Washington: A prolonged and potentially dangerous heatwave is set to grip large parts of the central and eastern US this week, with temperatures climbing ahead of the July Fourth holiday and high humidity making conditions feel even hotter, the National Weather Service said.

Over 130 million people across the southern US and Great Plains were under moderate to severe heat risk on Sunday, with the affected area expected to expand through the week. Temperatures are forecast to exceed 38°C in several regions, while the heat index could reach 46°C because of high humidity.

Forecasters said cities including New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas and Memphis could record their highest temperatures of the year. Some areas from the lower Great Lakes to the mid-Atlantic and New England may also set new temperature records.

The hot, dry and windy conditions have also heigh­tened wildfire risks across the western US. 

UK’s £75MN DRIVE TO CUT WATER USE 

Britain is launching its biggest-ever water conservation campaign as it emerges from a recent heatwave. The £75 million Let’s Save Water initiative aims to encourage people to reduce daily water use by 28 litres through simple measures such as taking shorter showers and fixing leaking taps, amid warnings that climate change and rising demand could lead to severe water shortages in the coming decades.