ROME (AP) – Italy placed all its major cities under the highest heat alert on Thursday as an intense heat wave swept across Europe, breaking national temperature records in Austria and causing wildfires in France while disrupting energy and transportation systems continent-wide.
This extreme weather event has resulted in temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in several countries, leading to health warnings for millions. Experts emphasize that such weather is becoming increasingly frequent and severe due to climate change.
The current heat wave has revealed significant vulnerabilities within public health systems, power generation capabilities, transportation networks, and tourism infrastructures, thereby pushing governments and businesses to adjust to the growing frequency of extreme weather phenomena.
In a notable development, Italy's Health Ministry issued a red alert for all 27 cities monitored under its national heat surveillance system, marking the first instance this year where the entire network faced the highest warning level simultaneously. This alert encompasses cities from Trieste in the northeast to Palermo in Sicily, signaling a health risk for the general population, not just vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
Authorities have advised both residents and tourists to avoid direct sunlight during peak hours, stay indoors whenever possible, and stay hydrated. To mitigate the impact of the heat on tourism, the ministries of tourism and culture have extended evening hours at key landmarks, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon in Rome.
Rome has also introduced unique measures to combat the heat emergency, such as installing cooling mist fans at the entrances of major tourist sites and creating a free "urban beach" along the Tiber River in the Marconi neighborhood. This initiative, named Tiberis, offers residents the chance to cool down in swimming pools, fountains, and shaded areas, providing a much-needed escape from the harsh city heat. Residents have responded positively to this initiative, emphasizing its significance for families and children during excessively hot days.
In Austria and Slovakia, record-high temperatures were reported on the same day. Slovakia recorded a historic high of 42.2 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit) in Dolne Plachtince, while Austria saw temperatures reach 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. Additionally, severe drought conditions resulted in low water levels in the Danube, forcing Slovakia’s largest hydroelectric power plant to shut down seven of its eight turbines due to insufficient water supply.
In Hungary, prolonged drought and record-low Danube levels have severely affected the country’s sole nuclear power plant, leading to a drastic reduction in output to about 10% of normal production. As a result, the government has implemented emergency measures, including requesting major industrial users and households to conserve electricity during peak hours. The government has also canceled parliamentary sessions in an effort to save power.
Germany is increasingly concerned about the impact of the drought on logistics and transportation, as water levels in rivers like the Rhine continue to drop. Environmental organizations have called for measures to enhance the resilience of rivers to climate change, which could help sustain water levels during drought periods.
In southeastern France, firefighters remained vigilant against wildfires, particularly in the Var region, where a significant blaze has burned over 60 square kilometers since July 20. Authorities warned of a high risk for additional wildfires, given the extreme dryness and strong winds in the area. Meanwhile, in England, the exceptional heat has affected operations at Heathrow Airport, where a grass fire temporarily closed one runway.
The ongoing heat wave has also created challenges in the Balkans, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and firefighters battling multiple wildfires in Serbia, including one near the capital, Belgrade.
In Croatia, tourists swarm the beaches in search of shade, trying to avoid exposure during the hottest hours as temperatures rise along the Adriatic coast. The combined impacts of extreme heat, drought, and wildfires highlight the urgent and severe effects of climate change currently experienced in Europe.
