Thursday, July 25, 2019
Major parts of Western Europe are seeing record-breaking temperatures as the second heat wave in a month reached its peak Thursday.
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. The UK recorded a record temperature for July of 38.1C and trains were ordered to run slower 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 heat wave 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.
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.
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 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.
While extreme weather events like heat waves 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.
Tags: Europe
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