Extreme heat breaks temperature records in central and eastern Europe
Summary
Several countries in central and eastern Europe, including Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary, have broken temperature records amid ongoing extreme heat and drought. This weather has caused wildfires, low river levels affecting power plants, and health concerns, highlighting the impact of climate change in the region.Key Facts
- Slovakia recorded a new high temperature of 42°C (108°F) in Dolné Plachtince.
- In Poland, two coal power plants shut down due to low water levels in the Vistula River, removing about 1.3 gigawatts of power capacity.
- Around 11,900 heat-related deaths have occurred in Germany this summer, according to official estimates.
- Climate activists in Germany protested the government for not doing enough to address risks from extreme heat.
- Hungary’s nuclear power plant is starting to operate again as water levels slightly improve, but electricity consumption cuts are still needed.
- The extreme heat and drought are linked to the climate crisis and are putting pressure on people, infrastructure, and wildlife.
- Wildfires have burned about 500,000 hectares in the EU this year, mostly in Spain and France, with 292,000 hectares burned in Ukraine.
- Experts call for faster development of wind and solar power to reduce water use and protect energy and water resources.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
