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March 28
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Extreme temperatures and devastating droughts across Europe are quickly turning what should have finally been a return to normalcy for the region's tourist organizations into hell, the Daily Beast reported.

More than 360 people have died in Spain since 10 July in a record heat wave that saw temperatures hover around 46 degrees for days on end. At least 84 of them died in the last 72 hours.

Several cold-water reptiles have died in Madrid's zoo, and zoo keepers are handing out popsicles to some animals who are refusing to eat because of the extreme conditions, which are not expected to abate until the end of the month. Spain has already experienced a heat wave in early summer when 829 people died between 11 June and 20 June. Temperatures are expected to be at least two degrees higher this time.

In Portugal, more than 235 people have died this month from heat-related causes while temperatures continue to rise. According to the government, wildfires in the regions led to the evacuation of several tourist campsites and outdoor recreation areas that had been booked all summer, causing chaos in the tourism industry.

The Italian government declared a national state of emergency along the Po River, which runs through northern Italy. The drought has also led to extreme water restrictions, including shutting down decorative fountains in Milan and restricting hairdressers from double washing clients' heads to save water. In southern Italy, the drought has caused wildfires, including several devastating fires within the city limits of Rome in the past two weeks.

In Britain, people were advised to avoid drinking alcohol and stay home over the weekend as temperatures reached 40 degrees.

Fires are also raging in southern France and the Greek islands, complicating travel and isolating some of the region's favorite summer vacation spots.

National weather agencies in the affected region warn that it could be another week before temperatures begin to return to normal.

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