A relentless heat wave has gripped Europe, prompting Italy to place all of its major cities under the highest heat alert and setting new national temperature records in Austria and Slovakia. The extreme weather has fueled wildfires in France and strained energy and transportation systems across the continent.
Italy's Health Ministry elevated all 27 cities in its national heat surveillance system to red alert Thursday, a first for the year, signaling a significant health risk to the entire population, not just vulnerable groups. Authorities are urging residents and tourists to avoid prolonged sun exposure, stay indoors when possible, and drink ample fluids. Tourist attractions in Rome, including the Colosseum and Pantheon, have extended evening hours, with cooling mist fans and additional medical stations deployed.
Rome has also established a free municipal "urban beach" along the Tiber River, offering pools, fountains, and shaded areas as a refuge for families seeking relief from the scorching temperatures.
Across Europe, the heat wave has pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in several countries. On Thursday, Slovakia recorded an all-time high of 42.2 C (108 F) in Dolne Plachtince, according to the Slovak Meteorological Institute. The low water levels in the Danube River have forced Slovakia's largest hydroelectric plant to shut down seven of its eight turbines, significantly reducing its electricity production for the year.
Austria experienced its own record high on Wednesday, reaching 41.2 C (106.2 F) in Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. The country is also facing severe drought conditions, with rainfall significantly below the long-term average in many regions, leading to dry conditions not seen in over a century.
Hungary's reliance on Danube River water for cooling at its sole nuclear power plant has been severely impacted by record-low water levels. Operators have reduced output to about 10% of normal production, prompting the government to implement emergency energy conservation measures. These include requests for reduced electricity consumption from industrial users and households, restrictions on freight train operations during peak hours, and the отключение of decorative lighting on landmarks in Budapest.
Germany is grappling with the impact of falling water levels on the Rhine and other rivers, which poses challenges for inland waterway shipping, industry, and logistics. Environmental groups are calling for increased river resilience and reduced water withdrawals during droughts.
In southeastern France, firefighters are working to contain a wildfire that has burned over 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) in the Var region, the largest in the area in decades. Authorities warn that strong winds and extremely dry conditions pose a high risk for further ignitions.
While temperatures have cooled in England, the impact of the driest July on record was evident when a grass fire temporarily closed a runway at London's Heathrow Airport. The Balkans also experienced peak heat on Thursday, with temperatures nearing 40 C (104 F), as authorities battled wildfires in Serbia and tourists in Dubrovnik sought shade along the Adriatic coast.