An intense heatwave is sweeping across Central and Eastern Europe, breaking temperature records and putting significant pressure on energy systems, water resources and public services.
Slovakia recorded a new national temperature record of 42°C in the Dolné Plachtince area. Austria and Hungary have also reported exceptionally high temperatures, while authorities are dealing with the consequences of prolonged drought.
In Poland, soaring temperatures and critically low water levels in the Vistula River forced authorities to temporarily shut down two coal-fired power plants, Kozienice and Połaniec. The closures removed around 1.3 gigawatts of generating capacity from the country’s electricity system.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has urged employers to take measures to protect workers during the heatwave, including providing access to cold drinking water and cooler working environments.
In Germany, climate activists protested outside the Chancellery, calling for stronger measures to address extreme temperatures. According to estimates from the Robert Koch Institute, around 11,900 people have died this summer as a result of extreme heat.
Experts are warning that record temperatures, drought and a lack of rainfall are increasing the risk of wildfires across Europe. Data from the European Forest Fire Information System indicate that around 500,000 hectares of land have burned in the European Union since the beginning of the year, with Spain and France among the worst affected.
The situation is also particularly serious in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where conditions conducive to wildfires have surpassed previous records for this time of year.
Environmental experts say climate change is intensifying extreme heat and drought, warning that Europe’s energy infrastructure and water resources will face growing pressure in the years ahead.
