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PARIS/ROME/ZURICH: A record-breaking heatwave continued across large parts of Europe on Sunday, with temperatures rising to 40 degrees Celsius in several countries as France reported around 1,000 excess deaths linked to the extreme weather and warned the toll could increase.
France’s public health agency said the majority of heat-related deaths involved senior citizens, adding that the final number was expected to rise as authorities continue assessing deaths in care homes and private residences.
Scientists believe the heatwave, which began on June 20, is the most severe ever recorded in Europe. They say the prolonged period of extreme temperatures has strained healthcare services, disrupted transport and electricity generation, and damaged infrastructure.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that approximately 150 million people are currently living under extreme heat conditions, with hundreds of deaths reported, schools closed and electricity grids under increasing pressure.
He said climate change has transformed what were once considered “once-in-a-generation” heatwaves into events that now occur almost every year, adding that homes, schools and workplaces across Europe remain poorly equipped to cope with prolonged periods of extreme heat.
Climate scientists said the current heatwave would have been virtually impossible without human-caused climate change, which has made exceptionally high night-time temperatures around 100 times more likely than they were two decades ago.
Transport and Power Systems Disrupted
Several countries, including Austria, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, recorded new temperature highs, while thunderstorms swept across parts of France, disrupting transport networks and electricity supplies.
In Germany, rail services on a major route in North Rhine-Westphalia were reduced because of the heat, while tram services in Leipzig were suspended. Local media reported many residents remained indoors until sunset to avoid the dangerous temperatures.
At the Vatican, Pope Leo thanked worshippers for attending Sunday prayers in St Peter’s Square despite the sweltering weather.
Heatwave Affects Europe’s Waterways
The prolonged heat has also affected Europe’s waterways. Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant was forced to reduce output again after the Danube River, which supplies cooling water to the facility, became too warm.
In Italy, water levels in the Po River have fallen significantly, allowing seawater to push nearly 18 kilometres inland and raising concerns over agricultural production and protected wetlands in the river delta.
Authorities have also reported dozens of drowning incidents involving people seeking relief from the intense heat in lakes and rivers. In Italy, rescue teams continued searching for the husband of cabinet minister Eugenia Roccella, who disappeared while swimming in Lake Vico on Saturday.
Heatwave Eases in France
The Czech Republic issued smog warnings across central and northern regions as high temperatures caused dangerous ground-level ozone concentrations, while authorities advised residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
Meteorologists forecast that thunderstorms would affect parts of France, Germany and the Czech Republic over the coming days, bringing cooler conditions to much of Western Europe as the heatwave shifts towards Central Europe and the Balkans.
Although temperatures have eased across most of France, weather officials said some northeastern regions remain under heat alerts. French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist cautioned that the health impacts of the heatwave could continue for up to 10 days after temperatures subside.
“The episode is not finished,” she told broadcaster BFM.
Storms that swept across parts of France late on Saturday brought some relief from the heat but also caused widespread power outages. Electricity provider Enedis said around 36,000 households in northern and central France remained without electricity on Sunday afternoon.
