London carried out a training exercise on Thursday to test its ability to cope with a 40C heatwave, simulating a scenario that could become reality as early as 2027. The exercise, named ‘Operation Helios’ after the Greek god of the sun, involved over 80 participants from emergency services, local government, environmental agencies, and transport companies. It was inspired by the London Climate Resilience Review, which published a report in March recommending that the city test its preparedness for a severe heat episode. The report highlighted the potential risks of extreme heat, including health threats to vulnerable populations like the very young and elderly, wildfire triggers, and the possibility of heavy rain and flash flooding following high temperatures.
David Bellamy, chair of the London Resilience Forum, emphasized the urgency of preparing for extreme weather events, stating that recent summers have demonstrated the changing climate and its impact on society, environment, and economy. He emphasized the importance of exercises like Operation Helios to ensure the city has the right tools and knowledge to handle emergencies and support Londoners during extreme weather events.
The exercise involved a developing scenario with updates and warnings from agencies like the Met Office, encouraging participants to consider the impact of prolonged heat on individuals, communities, and services. Emma Howard Boyd, author of the London Climate Resilience Review report, mentioned that the exercise was inspired by a previous simulation of a 10-day 50C heatwave conducted in October 2023. She added that the exercise will inform the development of a new pan-London Extreme Heat Plan, another recommendation of the review.
Operation Helios comes amid a four-day yellow heat warning issued by the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office. Temperatures reached 30.3C at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, the hottest it has been in the UK since September 2022.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan highlighted the importance of Operation Helios, stating that London has witnessed the damaging effects of extreme heat and climate change in recent years. He believes that the exercise provides a crucial opportunity for partners to collaborate and plan for managing these threats in the future.
