Rome: In the latest stark reminder of the effects of global warming, temperatures reached new highs on Monday as heat waves scorched parts of the Northern Hemisphere, prompting health advisories and fanned wildfires.

People drank water and sought relief from the oppressive heat as it was predicted that temperatures would rise to new highs in several locations over the next few days. This was true from North America to Europe and Asia.

The Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia, where a high of 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) is anticipated, are where Europe, the planet's fastest-warming continent, was preparing for its hottest-ever temperature this week.

Also Read: UK to Deliver on its Promise to Help the Developing World

Colman Peavy, 30, said as he and his wife Ana sipped cappuccinos on an outdoor terrace in the heart of Rome: "We're from Texas and it's really hot there; we thought we'd escape the heat but it's even hotter here." Colman and Ana were beginning a two-week vacation in Italy.

According to the EU weather monitoring service, June was the hottest month on record, and Mother Nature appeared determined that July wouldn't lag far behind.

Sanbao, a village in the Xinjiang region of China, recorded a new high temperature for mid-July at 52.2C, surpassing the previous record of 50.6C set six years earlier. 

Also Read:  UK Immigration Revolution: New Travel Authorization Scheme to Streamline Entry and Control Risks

Authorities in the nearby city of Turpan have ordered workers and students to stay at home and ordered special vehicles to spray water on major thoroughfares as ground surface temperatures there sweltered at 80C in some areas.

Temperatures in Cyprus, where they are anticipated to stay above 40C through Thursday, 

According to health officials, a 90-year-old man died from heatstroke, and three other seniors were taken to the hospital.

In 32 of the country's 47 prefectures, primarily in the central and southwestern regions, heatstroke alerts were issued in Japan.

According to local media, at least 60 people in Japan received treatment for heatstroke, including 51 who were taken to a hospital in Tokyo.

Also Read:  US warship and aircraft deployment to prevent Iranian ship seizures

In Hamamatsu city, the heat was sufficient for at least one man to shirk social embarrassment.

He told the national broadcaster NHK of the umbrella in his hand, "It's honestly unbearable without a parasol, although I have to admit it is a little embarrassing.