Catalonia on high alert as temperatures rise above 40 degrees

Thermometers in many places in Catalonia registered more than 40 degrees Celsius on Friday, as the heatwave that began on Tuesday reached its height.

Counties in the interior experienced the highest temperatures, at over 43ºC, as Catalonia's meteorological service, Meteocat, raised the alert level to its maximum.

Weather stations in places in Catalonia's western region of Lleida, in particular, broke new records, with temperatures reaching levels not seen since the heatwaves of 1982 and 2015.

While temperatures are expected to begin declining on Saturday, in Terres de l'Ebre - where firefighters still attempt to contain a huge wildfire - they could even rise slightly.

Meteocat forecasts that by Tuesday general temperatures in most places in the country will have fallen by as much as five degrees Celsius.

Since Tuesday, local authorities have implemented measures to counter the worst effects of the heat, such as making municipal swimming pools free or handing out free bottles of water. 

Last year, some 28 people in Catalonia died on account of the heat, and the authorities are keen to avoid more people becoming victims of this year's heatwave.

The Catalan authorities advise people to avoid doing outdoor activities, while special care should be taken with vulnerable groups, especially the elderly and babies. 

Meanwhile, Catalonia's firefighters, forest rangers, and civil protection agency are also on high alert, given that the risk of wildfires is extremely high.