Central Europe Suffocates Under 35°C Heatwave

Central and Eastern Europe are sweltering under a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 35°C for at least 130 million inhabitants on Monday. Across the continent, more than 269 million people are forecast to experience maximum temperatures exceeding 30°C, a slight decrease from the previous day's 380 million.

A vast region encompassing the Carpathians and the Balkans is particularly hard-hit. This includes most of Hungary, as well as Serbia, Romania, Croatia, Austria, southern Poland, and western Ukraine. In these areas, thermometers are expected to climb beyond 35°C. Italy, especially the densely populated Po Valley, will also see temperatures above 35°C affecting around 30 million people.

Even areas accustomed to heat, like the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, are feeling the effects. In France, while the heat is receding, health vigilance remains crucial, with about 3 million people still affected.

Hungary has implemented mandatory remote work for the public sector due to the extreme heat, with Prime Minister Péter Magyar urging private companies to follow suit. Slovakia has declared the highest level of heat alert (level 3) for almost the entire country, anticipating temperatures up to 40°C. Austria's eastern region is on red alert, with Vienna expecting daytime temperatures up to 39°C and nighttime lows of 23°C.

Susanne, a resident near Vienna, described the situation: "Drinking a lot of water is probably the only thing saving us." She, like others, is trying to stay in the shade and stay hydrated. The heatwave underscores ongoing concerns about health impacts, with predictions that the sanitary toll will continue to rise.

“

Drinking a lot of water is probably the only thing saving us.