Rome urges tourists to download fountain app.

The Italian health ministry has issued a maximum 'red alert' for Rome on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as an intense heatwave sweeps the country.

In addition to Rome, the cities included in the Level 3 heat warning for 31 July and 1 August are Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Milan, Perugia, Rieti, Turin and Viterbo.

The same cities, with the exception of Bolzano, have a red alert in place on Friday 2 August.

The bollino rosso indicates emergency conditions with a risk of negative effects on the elderly, sick or very young, as well as healthy and active people.

Prosegue l'ondata di calore: fino a venerdì 2 agosto previsto a Roma il livello 3 (rosso)

Le ondate di calore hanno effetti sulla salute ed è importante proteggersi. Info utili https://t.co/1PCemqJZU7

Attiva h24 sala operativa Protezione Civile: 800854854. pic.twitter.com/bqfgK6gWNu

— Roma (@Roma) July 31, 2024

Rome's guidelines for coping with the heat include staying indoors between 10.00 and 18.00; drinking at least 1.5 litres of water per day; staying clear of fizzy drinks, alcohol and coffee; eating light meals, vegetables and fruit; wearing light clothes; and never leaving children or animals in cars.

The city also urges residents and tourists to download the Waidy Wow app which locates the nearest nasoni drinking fountains around the capital.

Italy has a 1500 telephone helpline active from 09.00 to 18.00 offer advice on how to manage the heat as well as information about social and health services available.

For heatwave updates see Italy's health ministry website.

Photo credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com.