Another heatwave grips Europe: record temperatures, wildfires, and energy disruptions
A new heatwave has hit Europe, with Italy issuing the highest alert for all 27 monitored cities, while Slovakia and Austria set national temperature records. The extreme heat has caused wildfires and energy supply disruptions across the continent.
Europe is experiencing another heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in many places and causing significant problems for health systems, energy production, and transport.
Italy's Health Ministry on Thursday issued the highest red alert for all 27 cities in the national heat monitoring system, the first time this year that the entire network has been at the maximum warning level. Officials advised people and tourists to avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours, stay indoors as much as possible, and drink plenty of water. Major tourist attractions, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon, have extended their opening hours into the evening.
In Slovakia, a temperature of 42.2°C was recorded in the Veľký Krtíš district on Thursday, the highest ever measured in the country. Meanwhile, in Austria, the village of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg near the Slovak border set a new national record on Wednesday with 41.2°C.
The heat and drought have severely affected the energy sector. At Slovakia's largest hydropower plant, Gabčíkovo, seven of eight turbines have been shut down due to the low water level of the Danube. The plant has produced 15% less electricity this year than last year because of the lack of water. In Hungary, the prolonged drought and record-low Danube water level have forced the country's only nuclear power plant to reduce output to about 10% of normal capacity, as the river provides cooling water. The government has introduced electricity-saving measures. Also, Budapest saw its hottest night on record on Wednesday, with the temperature not dropping below 28°C.
In Germany, concerns are growing about the impact of low water levels in the Rhine and other rivers on transport and industry. The environmental organization BUND has called on authorities to address not only the economic consequences but also the need to make rivers more resilient to climate change.
In southeastern France, firefighters are closely monitoring the situation in the Var department, where a large wildfire is no longer spreading but could flare up again. The fire began on July 20 and has destroyed more than 60 square kilometers, becoming the largest in the region in decades.
The Balkans have also been hit by the heatwave, with temperatures approaching 40°C. In Serbia, firefighters are battling several large fires; one has destroyed pine forests west of Belgrade, and another has spread near the central city of Kraljevo.
