Europe heat wave update: More than 1,300 dead, Ukraine grid down, forest fires spread across Balkans | Today’s news
Europe is enduring its worst heat wave on record, with more than 1,300 deaths reported since June 21, record temperatures in several countries, widespread forest fires in the Balkans and increasing pressure on Ukraine’s war-torn power grid.
The scorching heat, which first swept across western Europe before moving east, pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in several countries.
Here’s what’s going on.
Record temperatures across Europe
According to the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group, the current heat wave is the worst ever recorded in Europe. Several countries broke long-term temperature records:
June temperature records were also broken in Great Britain and Switzerland.
Even as western Europe began to cool slightly, temperatures continued to rise in eastern Europe and the Balkans, with around 130 million people still expected to experience temperatures above 35C on Monday.
Why did the heat wave become so deadly?
The heat caused widespread death across Europe.
The World Health Organization said more than 1,300 overdose deaths had been recorded since June 21.
-Elderly people suffering from heat-related illnesses
-Children were left in locked vehicles
-Young people who drowned while trying to cool off in rivers and lakes
France is among the worst affected countries, reporting around 1,000 excess deaths related to the heat wave. Officials said 85% of the victims were 65 years of age or older.
The country also stated:
-At least 74 drowning deaths since June 18
– Funeral homes and morgues, especially in Paris, are reaching capacity due to an increase in fatalities
Health experts warn that the death toll is likely to rise.
Ukrainian electricity network under pressure
The extreme temperatures are adding new stress to Ukraine’s electricity grid, already severely damaged by more than four years of Russian attacks.
Authorities declared emergency power outages in the western region of Rivne after temperatures exceeded 36C. Temporary power outages were also reported in the Khmelnytsky region, while five other regions warned residents to prepare for possible power outages.
The Ukrainian State Meteorological Service predicts temperatures between 35 and 38 °C.
Yasno CEO Sergii Kovalenko said the heat was putting additional pressure on infrastructure already operating at capacity as it undergoes repairs after repeated military attacks.
Read also | Heatwave: France records more than 1,000 ‘excessive deaths’
Fires spread throughout the Balkans
The Balkans remained on alert as temperatures soared to 40 degrees Celsius.
Firefighters battled forest fires on the Croatian Adriatic island of Vis, using dozens of people and firefighting planes to extinguish the blaze.
Bosnia continued to fight fires near Mostar, while Albania was hit by a forest fire that burned olive groves and scrub near the southern village of Klos.
Croatia issued red heat warnings for Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik, while Serbia warned that temperatures could reach 39C. Kosovo also advised vulnerable residents to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day.
Read also | Large parts of US to be hit by dangerous heat wave, NWS says
