Brussels: A severe and intensifying heatwave is sweeping across Europe this week, prompting several nations to enforce emergency precautionary measures, including school closures in France and Germany and train cancellations in Belgium.
According to Jordan News Agency, in France, the national weather service declared an unprecedented "red" alert, its highest warning level, across 54 departments, covering more than half of the country and affecting approximately 38.8 million people. An "orange" alert was maintained in 40 other departments, as the agency reported that the country recorded its highest-ever average temperature for the month of June on Monday.
The extreme conditions have turned hazardous, with 13 people drowning since Saturday after attempting to swim to escape the heat. Authorities also reported that two children died from extreme heat inside a family vehicle. In response to the soaring temperatures, 845 primary and secondary schools were closed, while school hours were adjusted across roughly 1,800 other educational institutions.
Spain is enduring its second consecutive day of the heatwave, with the northern Basque region severely impacted. Authorities issued a red alert as temperatures surpassed 40 degrees Celsius, warning that temperatures are trending 5 to 10 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages.
In neighboring Portugal, Tuesday is projected to be the hottest day of the week. The national meteorological agency has placed three inland regions under an orange alert, the country's second-highest warning level.
Belgium is bracing for what could be its "hottest week ever recorded," with average temperatures forecast to exceed 27 degrees Celsius, according to David Dehenauw, head of forecasting at the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM). To mitigate the risk of infrastructure failures during peak heat hours, the National Railway Company of Belgium cancelled several scheduled train services on Monday and Tuesday.
In the Netherlands, local meteorological reports indicate that temperatures could climb to 37 degrees Celsius by the end of the week. A countrywide yellow alert remains in place due to stifling and oppressive atmospheric conditions.
The United Kingdom is also facing extreme conditions, with the Met Office on Monday issuing a rare red "extreme heat" warning, the highest level of alert for Wednesday and Thursday across parts of southern England. The weather office stated that maximum temperatures in the shade will exceed 37 degrees Celsius and could reach 38 to 40 degrees Celsius in areas including London, Birmingham, and Cardiff in Wales. Forecasters warned that exceptionally warm and humid nights would offer little relief and further strain public endurance.
Akshay Deoras, a senior research scientist in atmospheric science at the University of Reading, warned that England is confronting an unprecedented heatwave. He expressed serious concerns over widespread repercussions for public health, core infrastructure, and essential services. Several schools in southwest England closed earlier than scheduled, and select rail services bound for west London were suspended.
In Germany, temperatures are projected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius in western and southwestern regions, threatening to break the country's all-time record maximum of 41.2 degrees Celsius. Educational institutions across multiple German states have suspended classes as a safety measure against the intense heat.