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Europe's Sweltering Heatwave Claims 300 Lives, Affects Millions
Extreme heat across Europe has killed approximately 300 people. The continent, with temperatures exceeding 35°C, has seen over 150 million people affected, causing disruptions in transportation and education.
The European continent is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. Intensifying as of Friday, the scorching heat has surpassed the 35°C threshold, affecting at least 150 million people.
Approximately 300 people have lost their lives due to the extreme heat, while partial disruptions in transportation and education sectors have been reported in several countries, leading to the postponement of official events.
Millions of Europeans Exposed to High Temperatures
According to a report by the French press agency AFP, based on data from the German meteorological service and a joint research center, the current heatwave will affect 7 out of 10 Europeans. More than 420 million people on the continent are expected to be exposed to temperatures above 30°C. These figures also align with data from the Austria-based non-governmental organization Climadashboard.
These projections significantly exceed the calculations made by the German meteorological institute the previous day, which estimated that only 101 million people would be affected.
Loss of Life and Pressure on Health Systems
The scorching conditions have placed intense pressure on health systems, leading to overcrowded hospital emergency departments in many countries. Some governments have been forced to declare a state of emergency.
According to data from the Spanish Ministry of Health, 212 people died from the extreme heat in the country in just four days. The deaths were recorded between last Sunday and Wednesday, with some Spanish cities reaching 44°C, which is the highest average temperature recorded in the country since the 1950s.
In France, approximately 20 people died from causes directly related to the heat. Additionally, more than 40 people have drowned since mid-month, after flocking intensively and unsafely to water sources such as seas and lakes to cool off. Fifteen people in Britain and six in Germany also died from drowning due to the same cause.
Germany and France at the Epicenter of the Heat
According to data from European research centers, the epicenter of the heatwave has shifted from France to Germany. In Germany, 82 million people are expected to face temperatures above 30°C. Of this population, 52 million will experience temperatures of 35°C or higher.
In the rest of the continent, temperatures are forecast to exceed 35°C in France, Italy, Hungary, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute issued its first severe heatwave warning on Friday, which came into effect over a large part of the country.
Event Cancellations and Emergency Measures
In response to the severe heat, some countries have chosen to cancel planned events. Germany announced the postponement of the 'Civil Protection Day' events scheduled for Saturday in the southwest. A spokesman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior in Berlin stated that the decision was made due to the challenging weather conditions, adding that a new date for the event would likely be set next autumn.
The German Meteorological Office forecasts record temperatures between 37°C and 41°C in the southwest of the country, with local values reaching up to 42°C. The French energy giant shut down two nuclear reactors on Thursday to protect the environment. Additionally, the heatwave has caused power outages and the closure of public facilities in Spain, Italy, and Britain.
Experts Point to a 'Heat Dome'
Meteorology and climate experts attribute this severe heatwave to a phenomenon known as a 'heat dome'. High-pressure systems trap hot air in the lower layers over the European continent, preventing it from dispersing, leading to a continuous buildup of heat.
Scientists have emphasized that greenhouse gas emissions and climate change are directly responsible for making such extreme weather events more frequent and more intense compared to past decades.
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