France, Aug. 16 -- A severe heatwave continues to grip much of France this Saturday, stretching as far north as southern Brittany, with 54 departments placed under orange alert by Meteo-France on the ninth day of a relentless heatwave also affecting the Iberian Peninsula. The hottest temperatures are forecast in the Aude and Herault regions, with Montpellier expecting a scorching 42degC by Saturday afternoon.

Local authorities in Montpellier have urged residents to seek out cooler places such as community centres for the elderly, swimming pools, museums, and administrative buildings to escape the intense heat.

This marks the second major heatwave of the summer in France and the 51st since 1947, events that experts say are becoming more ...