For the second year in a row, Europe is experiencing a scorching summer, with temperatures starting at 30ᵒC and even exceeding 40ᵒC.
Red heat warnings are in force in parts of Portugal, Italy and Croatia, with numerous amber warnings covering areas of Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia and Switzerland.
Greece
Greek authorities have issued heatwave and wildfire warnings over the past week, with temperatures exceeding 40ᵒC.
Fires have broken out in recent days in Athens, Crete and Chios, causing damage to the environment as well as evacuations of several residential and tourist areas.
Due to the ongoing fire in Crete, hotels and homes in Agia Fotia, Galini and Koutsounari were evacuated. Tourists in these areas were relocated to hotels in unaffected parts of the region. It is recommended that people pack a go-bag with essential items in case of evacuations.
The authorities are advising that residents and tourists remain vigilant and avoid activities that could spark fires, including having barbecues and disposing of lit cigarettes.
Turkey
Multiple cities in Turkey, including Izmir, Bilecik, Orhanlı and Hatay, have experienced at least 340 wildfires, leading to the evacuation of over 50 000 people.
While some of the fires are now under control, electricity and water supplies remain cut off in certain regions.
France
France has also been battling the impact of wildfires in the southern cities. In Aude, in the south of the country near Toulouse, official state services have warned people to steer clear while emergency services deal with the situation.
The country is also limiting access to the Eiffel Tower, based on temperatures.
Additionally, the intense heatwave is threatening the country’s energy grid. Authorities have warned that there may be power cuts if the heat persists, as they will have to reduce the electricity output from its Saint Alban nuclear power station.
Italy
In Italy, 21 out of 27 cities were under the highest possible heat alert, including Rome, Milan, and Naples.
The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research launched a campaign this week warning beach-goers that poisonous fish species, including lionfish, silver-cheeked toadfish, dusky spinefoot and marbled spinefoot are beginning to appear in waters off southern Italy as the Mediterranean warms.
Portugal
Portuguese authorities have recommended people to avoid going outside during the hottest hours of the day, due to increased cases of sunburn and heatstroke.
Two-thirds of Portugal were on high alert for extreme heat and risk of wildfires, with temperatures in Lisbon expected to exceed 42ᵒC.
Spain
Barcelona City Hall has activated a plan to manage the heatwave, including distributing water and hats in the street.
Additionally, the Catalan region experienced its first wildfire of the season, resulting in two deaths.
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, temperatures are climbing above 30ᵒC, in areas including Noord-Brabant, Limburg and Gelderland.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, ferry services in the provinces of South Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland, and Brabant were paused.
UK
Last Monday, rail passengers in the UK were warned about speed restrictions due to hot weather.
Operators warned that the heat would make the track temperature about 50ᵒC, leading to blanket speed restrictions and revised timetables.
Warnings were issued for those travelling between London and Brighton, as well as passengers on the Gatwick Express.
The UK experienced a four-day amber heat health alert, with temperatures peaking in the mid-30ᵒCs.
Scotland
The Scottish Highlands were on fire over the past weekend. The fire and rescue services were tackling a number of large wildfires across Aberdeenshire, Highland and Moray.
