American Marconi Wireless News - Red heat alert issued for third of France, alcohol banned at music festival

The prolonged heatwave, which began earlier this week, has disrupted the country, forcing the cancellation of dozens of trains and the suspension of classes.

Authorities are also concerned about how the annual Fete de la Musique celebrations will unfold across the country on Sunday when musicians take over the streets with free performances and revellers party into the night.

"Very high temperatures are settling in for the long term across the country," Meteo-France said as it announced the highest heatwave warning for 35 of France's departments, or administrative regions, for Sunday.

Paris is one of the regions on the red-alert list.

According to AFP's calculations, around 26 million people are to be affected by the alert. Another 45 departments will be under orange alert.

"The combination of alcohol, heat and proximity to water — those are three risk factors that don't mix well," Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said late Friday.

On Saturday, the government said that alcohol consumption during the annual street festivals would be banned in departments under red heatwave alert.

"Prefects will issue decrees banning alcohol consumption in public spaces in the departments under red alert," the government said in a statement following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

"For all events organised by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to offer alcohol," added Lecornu's office.

The government has called for limits on alcohol consumption "to preserve emergency and healthcare services and allow medical staff to focus on caring for the most vulnerable".

To help Parisians and tourists cope with the heat, authorities are keeping parks and gardens in the French capital open through the night.

D.Sawyer--AMWN