A heat-health alert has been issued for Cumbria this week with officials warning of rising health risks as temperatures climb.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has placed all of the North West under an amber alert from 1am on Wednesday, June 24 until 11pm on Thursday, June 25.
The warning signals “significant impacts” are expected across health and social care services due to the heat.
This includes a potential "rise in deaths," particularly in those aged 65 and over, or those with health conditions.
It says there may also be impacts on younger age groups.
Hospitals and care homes may struggle to keep indoor temperatures within "the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessments," with the threat of indoor environments overheating also increasing the risk for vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings.
An amber alert also means there could be issues relating to managing medicine or even staffing issues if transport is affected.
Beyond health impacts, the alert highlights possible disruption to travel and energy supplies, with potential for increased demand for power that could exceed capacity.
Officials have also warned of a higher risk of water-related incidents, including cold water shock and drowning, as more people head to lakes and coastal areas to cool off.
