The heat wave that is hitting a large part of Europe has already caused more than 1,300 deaths since June 21, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), while several Central and Eastern European countries are facing record temperatures.
The WHO urged European countries to strengthen prevention and response plans to extreme temperatures, underscoring the need to integrate these measures into climate change adaptation strategies.
According to calculations by the Agence France-Presse (AFP), about 130 million people are expected to face temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius today, and more than 269 million highs above 30 degrees.
Hungary is living through one of the most critical periods of the heat wave, with temperatures close to the national record of 41.9 degrees Celsius.
In Aszód, east of Budapest, thermometers reached 41.6 degrees, a historic maximum for the month of June, and the government ordered telework in public administration, urged the population to reduce electricity consumption during peak demand hours, and faces water-supply restrictions in more than a hundred localities.
In Slovakia, the hottest day on record was registered, with 41 degrees, surpassing the previous record from 2007.
Austria keeps the eastern part of the country on red alert, forecasting temperatures up to 39 degrees in Vienna, while Italy has placed 25 major cities under red alert due to health risks.
In Ukraine, the heat wave worsens the effects of the war by increasing the pressure on an electrical grid weakened by Russian bombardments. Authorities warned of possible power cuts, while the heat intensifies the risk of fires and hampers military operations along the front line.
Cities such as Lviv, Odesa, Uzhhorod, Lutsk, and Rivne recorded record temperatures between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius.
The Balkans are also facing temperatures near 40 degrees, with fires reported in Bosnia and weather alerts in several countries in the region.
In Poland, authorities reported 56 drownings since the start of June, including 17 just on Sunday, urging the public to redouble vigilance near bathing areas.
Italy issued a red alert today due to high temperatures in at least 25 major cities, in an attempt to prevent fatalities and ensure public safety. The alert will be in effect until Wednesday.
According to the scientific initiative World Weather Attribution, the intensity of this heat wave would have been virtually impossible for it to occur in June without the influence of climate change.
In recent days there have been absolute temperature records in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, as well as monthly records in the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
