Europe Heatwave Fuels Fires, Forces Rationing and Disrupts Daily Life

Europe is grappling with a persistent heatwave, fueling forest fires in Albania and forcing Hungary to ration electricity. As the center of the heatwave shifts east, Italy has placed most of its major cities on red alert, with temperatures expected to reach around 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. The extreme heat has even disrupted the Vatican, compelling the Pope to move the first general audience after the summer break indoors. In Hungary, businesses and households are reducing electricity consumption at the government's request to ease pressure on the national grid. The country is anticipating peak temperatures between 40°C and 42°C on Wednesday and Thursday. Compounding the issue, historically low water levels in the Danube River have forced Hungary to largely shut down its sole nuclear power plant, which relies on the river for cooling. Meanwhile, in Albania, forest fires have led to the evacuation of about 15 families and their livestock in Mallakaster. Firefighters are battling flames near homes, while another fire, possibly caused by lightning, rages in a mountainous area south of Gjirokastër. Neighboring Greece is also affected, with a wildfire near Athens, potentially sparked by power line vibrations and fanned by strong winds, having already destroyed thousands of hectares of farmland. Though largely contained by Wednesday, hundreds of firefighters remain on alert.