‘Europe is melting’: More than 5,000 deaths due to heat in Germany alone; The figures from around the world in WHO report are very scary

The most dangerous and gruesome form of global warming and climate change is currently being seen in Europe, which is known throughout the world for its cold valleys, snow-covered mountains and pleasant weather. A record-breaking heatwave is currently going on in 23 countries of Europe, due to which life there has become completely disrupted. The situation is such that due to the scorching heat, asphalt roads are melting, railway tracks are becoming crooked and even the traffic lights of the cities have melted and are hanging. According to various international estimates, more than 20,000 people have lost their lives in Europe so far this year due to heat alone. The most shocking figure is from Germany, where more than 5 thousand people have died due to heatwave in the last 6 months alone. How hot is it in which country of Europe? According to a report by ‘TheEarth.com$’, the mercury has crossed 40 to 44 degrees Celsius in many countries of Europe, which is unprecedented in the history there: France: The mercury in the capital Paris has crossed 40°C, while the French city of Pisos has currently become the hottest city in the whole of Europe with a temperature of 44.3°C. Germany: Cochem, Germany recorded an all-time high temperature of 41.7°C on July 8. Poland: The heat in Poland has broken the record of 105 years. The temperature here in Slubice city was recorded at 40.5°C. Spain and other countries: The mercury has crossed 42°C in Bilbao, Spain, 36.6°C in Odense, Denmark and the temperature in Britain (UK), which is usually cold, has also reached 36.1°C. Why were there so many deaths in Germany? According to a Reuters report revealed by the Robert Koch Institute, 5,120 heat-related deaths have been recorded in Germany so far this year. Most of these deaths occurred in the last week of June, when the weekly average temperature was much higher than normal. Germany’s national public health institute, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), said in its report that the highest number of deaths were of the elderly and women. Of the total deaths, about 4,270 were people aged 75 years or older. Scientists say that the people of Europe have been accustomed to living in extreme cold for centuries, so their body is not able to tolerate this extreme heat of 40 to 45°C continuously and cause heatstroke. WHO report: About 5 lakh deaths every year across the world The global figures of the new ‘Climate Report’ published by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 28 April 2026 are hair-raising: Annual deaths: Every year between 2000 and 2019, on an average 4 lakh 89 thousand (4.89 lakh) people across the world lose their lives only due to extreme heat and heatstroke. Danger to people aged 65+: If we compare the data between the years 2000-2004 and 2017-2021, there has been a terrible increase of 85% in the death rate due to heat among the elderly (above 65 years). Situation of continents: 45% of total heat deaths worldwide are recorded in Asia alone and 36% in Europe. Earlier in the year 2022 also, heat in Europe had killed 61,672 people. A shock of Rs 11 lakh crore to the economy and a severe water crisis. According to the calculations based on the economic model of Allianz Research ($Allianz\ Research$), this severe heatwave is not only taking human lives but is also breaking the backbone of the European economy. Impact on GDP: Due to this year’s heat, European countries may suffer an immediate economic loss of up to Rs 11 lakh crore. At the same time, this figure is expected to increase to Rs 61 lakh crore by the year 2030. Danger of water crisis: The European Environment Agency estimates that due to increasing heat and drying up of water sources, about 34% of Europe’s population will be in the grip of severe water scarcity by next year. What is the lesson for India from this worse situation in Europe? This current situation in Europe is a very big and serious warning for India. India is already one of the hottest and most densely populated countries in the world. India needs to learn the following strategic lessons from this crisis in Europe: Comprehensive ‘Heat Action Plan’ ($Heat\Action\Plan$): Currently only a few selected cities of India (like Ahmedabad) have a systematic Heat Action Plan in place. Now the time has come that it should be made mandatory in every state and district of the country. Changes in urban infrastructure: To prevent ‘heat islands’ caused by concrete forests in cities, cool roofs technology and construction of ‘heat-resilient’ houses that absorb heat will have to be legally promoted. Emergency Medical Preparedness: Every district will have to make advance arrangements for emergency cooling centres, ORS counters and special wards to deal with heatstroke in hospitals during the extreme summer months, so that lives of citizens can be saved in time.