Heat wave in Europe: 200 million face extreme temperatures; Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic are experiencing the hottest days ever | Today’s news

Europe’s record heat wave intensified at the weekend, with temperatures exceeding 40C in several countries, new national temperature records set and almost 200 million people expected to experience temperatures above 35C as scorching conditions spread east.

The prolonged heatwave has already been blamed for dozens of deaths, overwhelmed hospitals, widespread cancellations of events and disruptions to power generation, while scientists say the extreme weather is caused by climate change.

Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic set new records

Germany recorded an all-time high of 41.5°C on Saturday, beating the previous day’s record of 41.3°C, according to the German Meteorological Service (DWD). Temperatures could still approach 42 degrees Celsius, which could set another national record, forecasters warned.

Denmark also recorded its hottest day on record with temperatures reaching 37C north of Aarhus. The record only lasted an hour before it was broken again.

The Czech Republic also recorded the highest temperature in history, 40.6 °C north of Prague.

Earlier, the UK broke its June temperature record for the third day in a row, hitting 37.3C in Santon Downham, Suffolk, while Switzerland, France and other parts of western Europe also experienced unprecedented heat.

Almost 200 million people are affected

Around 193 million to 200 million people across Europe were expected to experience temperatures above 35C on Saturday, with Germany among the worst-hit countries, according to an AFP analysis.

As the heatwave moves east, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Moldova and several Balkan countries have issued the highest level of heat warning.

Romania warned that almost the entire country would experience extreme heat from Monday to Wednesday, while Slovakia recorded its hottest night on record, with overnight temperatures staying above 26.3C.

Deaths and health emergencies are increasing

The heatwave has already claimed dozens of lives across Europe from heat-related illnesses and drowning.

Emergency services in several countries said they were over capacity as hospitals struggled to cope with a rising number of heat-related cases.

In Paris, Deputy Mayor for Health Antoine Alibert said hospitals are overcrowded, stretchers are piling up in corridors and emergency calls are increasing.

Authorities also said at least 55 people have drowned in France since the heat wave began, many of them swimming in unauthorized areas to escape the extreme temperatures.

The heat disrupts public events

Extreme temperatures have forced organizers to cancel or modify numerous public events across Europe.

Street parties and music festivals were canceled in France, Germany and the Netherlands, while Belgium canceled its annual re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo.

Paris Pride celebrations were abandoned due to health risks, although Budapest went ahead with the Pride march despite temperatures approaching 40°C.

Germany’s Berlin Philharmonic also continued with its traditional outdoor concert, but relaxed its formal dress code to help performers cope with the heat.

Nuclear power generation affected

The heat wave is also disrupting power generation as unusually warm river water affects reactor cooling systems.

Switzerland shut down both reactors at the Beznau nuclear power plant after the temperature of the Aare River reached 25°C, making sufficient cooling impossible.

France also temporarily shut down nuclear reactors because the cooling water threatened to overheat nearby rivers.

In Hungary, the Paks nuclear power plant reduced the output of one of its four reactors by 243 megawatts after the temperature of cooling water in the Danube rose above regulatory limits.

Authorities said households would not experience power shortages, but urged consumers to reduce energy use during peak evening hours.

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Infrastructure under pressure

Prolonged heatwaves have affected transport, schools and public services across Europe.

In Belgium, hundreds of Eurostar passengers had to be evacuated after train malfunctions left them without air conditioning.

Poland warned that overhead railway power lines could sag and tracks warp due to extreme temperatures, while the risk of bushfires increased after exceptionally dry conditions.

Across Britain, hundreds of schools were closed, hospitals reported equipment failures including MRI machines and IT systems, and tourist attractions such as Tower Bridge and the Royal Observatory temporarily closed their doors.

Britain’s electricity grid operator also warned of tighter margins for electricity supplies during peak demand.

Scientists blame climate change

Climatologists said the extraordinary heat wave has intensified human-caused global warming.

The World Weather Attribution Group said such exceptional June temperatures would have been virtually impossible 50 years ago without climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

Experts said the current event was being fueled by a strong “heat dome” trapping hot air from North Africa over much of Europe.

Scientists warn that as global temperatures continue to rise, heat waves like the current one are expected to become more frequent, longer and more intense.

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