New Delhi: Last week, the record-breaking heat that hit Europe took the lives of nearly 1,000 people in France. New temperature records were made in many countries. Wildfires broke out in parts of Germany. Emergency services have been strained and transport systems overwhelmed as the heat moves towards eastern parts of the continent.
Death toll increased in France in three days
France’s public health agency said on Sunday that deaths in the country increased rapidly at the peak of summer. Emergency calls from homes also increased, especially in the Paris area. More than 1,200 deaths occurred on Wednesday, when France recorded its highest ever temperature. More than 1,400 people died every day over the next two days.
Before the summer, France was averaging 900 to 1,000 deaths a day in April-May. There were at least 1,000 additional deaths in those three days alone, according to the agency. This figure may increase because data on deaths in homes is still being collected.
Elderly people are most affected, red alert areas are in distress
The agency said most deaths occurred in areas where there was a red alert for extreme heat. At the peak of summer, three-fourths of the country was in its grip. 85% of those who died were above 65 years of age.
Day and night temperatures broke records in Germany
In Germany, the night temperature in Kubschitz in eastern Saxony did not drop below 29.4 degrees on Sunday, a new record, according to the German weather service DWD. Just a few hours ago, the day temperature in Macern-Drewitz in Saxony-Anhalt had reached 41.5 degrees. The previous record was made just a day earlier.
Police in Berlin sprayed water cannons on people near the Brandenburg Gate. The crowd was relieved by the cannons usually used on protesters.
Wildfire and cracked infrastructure
A forest fire broke out in Gohrischheide, East Germany. The area is contaminated with World War II ammunition, making firefighting dangerous. A fire also broke out in an area with unexploded bombs near the town of Trysen. Work had to be stopped after the blasts.
An additional 500 ambulances were dispatched to Berlin on Saturday to respond to heat-related emergencies. The concrete surface of many highways was broken. Deutsche Bahn warned against non-essential train travel. Melting of tracks kept tram services in Leipzig closed until Monday morning.
Situation bad in Greece-Denmark too
Five areas in Greece were reported to be at very high risk of fire. After record heat, a strong storm occurred in Denmark on Saturday. 1,156 incidents of lightning were recorded in a day.
The study by World Weather Attribution says that such heat would not have been possible without climate change. This was impossible 50 years ago, but now it is 200 times more likely than 20 years ago.
Comments are closed.