Europe is facing another intense spell of extreme heat, with France reporting 40 drowning deaths since June 18 as people seek relief from soaring temperatures, while authorities in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium and the UK have issued alerts and introduced measures to protect the public.
The heatwave, the second to hit western Europe in under a month, has brought record overnight temperatures in France, red alerts in parts of Spain and Italy, and warnings in Britain that temperatures could approach 40C in the coming days.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that human-driven climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, longer and more intense, increasing pressure on public health systems, infrastructure and emergency services.
France records deadly surge in drownings
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 40 people had drowned in France since June 18, describing the deaths as a “sad scourge” during the country’s seventh day of extreme heat.
The victims were mostly young people, according to the government, with authorities warning that many had entered unsafe or unauthorised swimming areas in an effort to cool down.
Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari urged the public to follow safety rules near water, saying that while the need to seek relief from the heat was understandable, people should be “extremely careful” about where they swim.
France has been among the countries hardest hit by the current heatwave. Météo-France said the night from Monday to Tuesday was the hottest ever recorded nationally since measurements began in 1947.
According to provisional data, the national heat index for average minimum temperatures across 30 reference stations reached 21.6C, surpassing the previous record of 21.4C set on July 25, 2019. The highest overnight temperature recorded was 28.7C in Pouzauges, in the Vendée.
The agency also said Monday afternoon was the hottest ever recorded in France, with the average maximum temperature across the country reaching 37.8C. That was just above the previous national afternoon record of 37.7C, set during the historic 2003 heatwave.
More than 90 per cent of the French population was under orange or red heat alerts on Tuesday, with 54 departments placed on red alert.
Nuclear plant halted as river temperatures rise
The heat has also affected energy infrastructure. EDF said operations at the Golfech nuclear power plant in south-western France were halted as a precaution on Monday night because the temperature of the Garonne River, which is used to cool the reactors, was expected to rise to 28C.
French nuclear plants are subject to environmental limits on river temperatures to protect aquatic life.
Spain, Italy and Germany face rising risks
In Spain, almost the entire country was placed under alert for high temperatures, with parts of Andalusia, the Basque Country and Cantabria under red alert for “extreme risk”.
The Spanish weather agency Aemet forecast temperatures of up to 40C in the shade in parts of the Basque Country, while other areas were expected to remain under severe heat stress.
Italy’s Health Ministry issued red heat alerts for 15 cities, including Rome and Milan, with the number expected to rise to 16 on Wednesday. Under a red alert, the ministry advises people to avoid going outdoors during the hottest hours of the day, eat light meals and stay hydrated.
Germany has also recorded a rise in accidental drownings during the heatwave. Police said five people drowned over the weekend, including two men aged 20 and 22 in lakes in Bavaria and a 79-year-old woman in the Baltic Sea.
UK prepares for possible June record
In the UK, schools in parts of England have closed or adjusted timetables as authorities prepare for unusually high temperatures.
The Met Office has issued a rare red extreme heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday, covering parts of southern and central England, including London and Birmingham. Temperatures could reach 38C to 40C in some areas.
The UK’s June temperature record of 35.6C, set in 1976 and matched in 1957, could be broken during the heatwave.
Portugal and Belgium also on alert
Portugal’s weather service, IPMA, warned that parts of the central and northern regions could experience temperatures close to previous records, while other areas are expected to remain well above seasonal averages. Three northern districts were placed under orange alert.
In Belgium, the Royal Meteorological Institute warned that temperatures could reach record levels in the coming week.
Rail services in France and Belgium have also been cancelled or reduced because of concerns that extreme heat could damage infrastructure and lead to delays or congestion.
Source: AMNA
