Gatwick branded ‘a bit Third World’ after running out of water in heatwave
Gatwick Airport was branded “a bit Third World” after running out of water in the middle of Britain’s scorching heatwave.
The country’s second busiest air hub suffered a drought due to a burst water main that left toilets unflushable and restaurants closed.
As Britain sizzles under an “extraordinary” heatwave signs were put up warning passengers of the disruption and some restaurants have been forced to close amid massive hygiene concerns over the lack of water.
The airport is offering passengers free bottled water until the matter is “resolved”.
Passenger Raquel Rodrigues, 49, who was travelling to Spain from Gatwick when the shortage hit said: “There are only two working in the whole terminal and you can imagine what the queues are like.
“Nobody wants the airport to close but there are heated exchanges between staff and people trying to travel with young families.
“Apparently, there is a tanker coming but it’s just a bit Third World.”
How long will heatwave last as Met Office reveals date and scorching 30C temperatures
Water firm SES said the issue was caused by a burst main pipe in Crawley, West Sussex.
It came after the airport announced it was scrapping 4,000 flights this summer alone as it struggles with staff shortages along with the nation’s other biggest air hubs.
Today (Thursday, July 14) Downing Street called the week’s second Cobra meeting on the heatwave.
Sweltering Britain is bracing to endure record-busting 39C highs from Sunday in “exceptional” temperatures that could roast the country for two weeks.
Water companies up and down the country are warning that they won’t be able to treat water quickly enough to meet demand.
Anglian water has asked its customers to limit showers to five minutes, avoid washing cars and “learn to love a brown lawn”, while Yorkshire Water asked customers to limit showers to four minutes and Severn Trent, while stopping short of a full hosepipe ban, has asked gardeners to use a watering can instead.
The Met Office has warned that exceptionally high temperatures are likely in for southern and central over the weekend and early next week, with temperatures soaring over 35°C in some places.
Brits fear for bacon sandwiches as climate change threatens tomato ketchup supply
Hospitals have declared a critical incident as fears grow prolonged heat will cause people to keel over from heart attacks, strokes, circulation problems and dehydration.
Fires have already erupted across the country amid drought, hosepipe ban and food shortage fears.
Rivers are at 30% of normal levels, farms are using a third more water and Britons have been told to take shorter showers after the lowest rainfall in more than a quarter of a century in parts of the nation.
Britain’s farmers have warned of the “significant challenge” posed by drought-style conditions after the driest spell in 26 years.
They are battling to keep crops watered on top of soaring fuel, electricity and fertiliser costs.
North pole rapidly shifting position – and it's heading straight towards Putin's Russia
One farmer on the Norfolk/Suffolk border said he would normally budget £80,000 for electricity to pump water into his crops, but this had already gone up to £250,000 this season.
The bill is set to spiral to at least £300,000 because of an extra 25 to 30% of water having to be pumped to arid land.
East Anglia is particularly parched this summer after it saw just two thirds of its normal rainfall in the first half of 2022, making it the region’s driest six-month period since 1996 and the 11th driest since records began in 1836.
Millions of households in Yorkshire have been urged to cut water use or face the prospect of a hosepipe ban.
A Met Office spokesperson said about its extreme temperatures warning: “Exceptional heat is possible for southern and central areas of the UK late this weekend and early next week, with temperatures likely in excess of 35C (95F) in some places.”
The heatwave is on track to shatter the existing record of 38.7C set in 2019.
Warming climate could 'release prehistoric viruses' frozen in North Pole in new pandemic
Sales of electric fans have soared by up to 1630% this week, according to latest data, with some retailers completely selling out as shoppers scramble for supplies.
Ministers and officials have been drawing up plans with the NHS and councils, with ambulance trusts on high alert.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said about the second Cobra meeting on the heatwave: “There have already been some coordination meetings at official level across government.
“This is a progression of that to ensure that – as we come into what are predicted to be the hottest days – that the necessary mitigations and actions are in place or being put in place.
“A lot of this is making sure the public are aware of the advice that is available – particularly those with young children or vulnerable family members.”
- Woman's 16p hack makes fans cooler as Brits prepare for 35C scorcher next week
- Britain to be lashed by horror storms and lightning as scorching heatwave set to end
- Nearly half of dog owners are unaware that their pooch should be wearing sunscreen
- Models soap up and don bikinis to wash down cars as UK temperature soars
Source: Read Full Article