Europe’s fifth heatwave hits UK, France; 12,000 dead

The Story in Brief

Europe is in the grip of its fifth summer heatwave, with extreme temperature warnings across Britain and France on Monday. The UK Met Office forecast 37°C in parts of southern England by Thursday. France expects up to 40°C in some regions, with 70% of territory under water restrictions. Greece and Spain are battling new wildfires. The heat follows July droughts that affected 95% of mainland France and 99% of Switzerland, both records since 2012. The Hindu reports at least 12,000 excess deaths were recorded across nine European countries during a June heatwave alone.

River levels have dropped to historic lows. The Rhine in Germany risks becoming unnavigable, and the Vistula in Warsaw matched its record low. Hungary and Romania had to consider shuttering nuclear plants relying on Danube water for cooling. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said ambulance crews are fielding more calls than at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. A solar eclipse is expected on Wednesday but will cross areas recently hit by Spanish fires.