Parts of Western Europe were seeing record-breaking temperatures as the second heatwave in a month reached its peak yesterday.
A red alert was issued in northern France – with Paris temperatures hitting a record 42.6C (108.7F).
Germany also set a new temperature record, reaching 41.5C in the west.
The UK recorded a record temperature for July of 38.1C and trains were ordered to run more slowly to stop rail tracks buckling in the heat.
The Netherlands also recorded its highest ever temperature, at 40.7C.
“Climate change has increased the likelihood and severity of heatwave episodes across Europe,” the UK’s national weather service said.
French authorities earlier launched a red alert – the highest state of alert – in the Paris region and 19 other districts and said temperatures were expected to reach 42-43C in parts of the country.
French media said Wednesday night was “probably” the hottest ever recorded in France.
Belgium’s Royal Meteorological Institute issued “code red” warnings across most of the country – urging people to take extra precautions during “extremely high temperatures”.
In France, officials warned people to avoid travelling and to work from home if possible. Children’s nurseries also been closed.
The chief architect responsible for restoring the Notre-Dame warned that the extreme heat could lead to the cathedral roof collapsing if the joints and masonry holding up the roof dry out. French reports suggested five deaths may have resulted from the high temperatures.
Comparisons were drawn to a heatwave in August 2003 which contributed to almost 15,000 deaths in the country.
In parts of north Germany, rivers and lakes have dried up – with warnings that fish and mussels could be “severely threatened”.
In the Netherlands, hundreds of pigs died earlier this week after a ventilator at a farm failed. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a Eurostar train from Belgium to London broke down, trapping passengers.
Yes, an intense heatwave swept through areas of Europe last month, making it the hottest June on record.
France set an all-time high-temperature record of 46C, according to the WMO, and new June highs were set in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Andorra, Luxembourg, Poland and Germany.
While extreme weather events like heatwaves occur naturally, “research shows that with climate change they are likely to become more common, perhaps occurring as regularly as every other year”, the UK’s Met Office says. –BBC
