France’s weather service, Météo-France, has placed 54 departments under its highest level of heat alert – “red vigilance” – starting midday Tuesday. This expansion includes the departments of Calvados, Eure, Manche, Seine-Maritime, and Oise. The alert signifies a significant danger due to the extreme heatwave conditions. As a precautionary measure, the second reactor at the Golfech nuclear power plant in Tarn-et-Garonne was shut down late Monday evening. This shutdown was prompted by anticipated rising water temperatures in the Garonne River, used for cooling the plant. Authorities are taking preventative steps to mitigate risks associated with both the heatwave and potential impacts on critical infrastructure. The situation is being closely monitored as temperatures are expected to soar.