New Delhi [India], June 29 : Europe is facing an intense heatwave as extreme temperatures continue to spread across several countries. Poland recorded an all-time record temperature of 40.5°C on Sunday as the heatwave moved eastwards.
According to estimates from the AFP news agency, at least 191 million people across Europe are expected to experience temperatures of 35°C or higher. The heat has been particularly strong in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.
Other affected regions include Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Austria, and western Ukraine, where authorities have issued warnings over the dangerous conditions.
WHO Warns of Rising Health Risks
World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the extreme heat has already been linked to a significant rise in deaths.
In a post on X, Tedros said that more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded since June 21 linked to high temperatures in Europe.
Calling heat stress a “silent killer,” Tedros said,
“European homes, workplaces and schools were not built for these temperatures.”
He also warned that Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, heating at twice the global average.
According to Tedros, climate change and global warming are making extreme weather events more frequent. He said that the so-called “once-in-a-generation” heatwaves are now occurring nearly every year and urged European countries to implement stronger heat health action plans to protect people.
Scientists Link Extreme Heat to Climate Change
Climate experts say that while heatwaves are a natural weather event, the intensity of current temperatures is unusual.
Friederike Otto, co-founder of World Weather Attribution, said,
“The weather pattern itself is not particularly unusual, but the temperatures are – or at least they used to be without human-induced climate change.”
Scientists have repeatedly warned that rising global temperatures are increasing the chances of longer and more dangerous heatwaves.
Impact on Citizens
The heatwave is affecting daily life across Europe with high risks especially for elderly people, children, outdoor workers, and those with health conditions.
Authorities are advising citizens to stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary travel during peak afternoon hours and take necessary precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses.
The latest heatwave has once again raised concerns about how countries accross the globe are preparing for a warmer future. With extreme temperatures becoming more common, governments are facing growing pressure to strengthen climate and public health measures.
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