Wildfires, low levels on rivers as Europe feels the heat

Europe is grappling with the intense effects of a heatwave and drought, resulting in destructive wildfires and critically low river levels across the continent. Albania's emergency services are battling a wildfire in the south, while Hungary has implemented power consumption cuts.

This summer has seen Europe, the world's fastest-warming continent, ravaged by record heat and wildfires, with France and Spain bearing significant impacts. Austria recorded an all-time temperature high for the second consecutive day, reaching 41.2C. The heatwave's focus has shifted eastward, prompting Italy to issue a red heat alert for most major cities as temperatures neared 40C. The Vatican even moved Pope Leo's weekly audience indoors to escape the sweltering conditions.

In Hungary, companies and households are reducing power usage following a government appeal to alleviate pressure on the national grid. Budapest anticipates the peak of the heatwave in the coming days, with temperatures nearing 40C. Record-low water levels on the Danube River have forced Hungary to largely shut down its sole nuclear power plant, which relies on the river for cooling, creating an energy crisis and straining power supply capacity.

Further east, Slovenia's Krško nuclear power plant, supplying both Slovenia and Croatia, announced it would reduce reactor output due to high temperatures and low water flow on the Sava River. Meanwhile, in Germany, water levels on the Rhine River have reached new lows, halting some cargo services and forcing others to operate with significantly reduced loads. The Rhine is a crucial route for commodities like grains, ores, and petrol.

In Albania, wildfires in the southern Mallakaster region led to the evacuation of approximately 15 families. Firefighting crews are working to prevent flames from reaching homes near a village. Another wildfire, possibly ignited by lightning, is being fought in mountainous terrain south of Gjirokaster. Greece is also experiencing wildfires, with one blaze near a popular holiday destination northwest of Athens having already burned thousands of hectares of farmland.

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I suppose it's better to hold it indoors because of the heat