As a relentless heatwave blankets large parts of Europe, several countries continue to juggle extreme weather conditions with water and healthcare crises. The record-shattering conditions across Europe have resulted in numerous deaths, infrastructure disruptions, and school closures.
As temperatures soared over 40 degrees Celsius in multiple countries, over 1,300 deaths were reported across Europe since June 21, according to the news agency AFP, citing the World Health Organisation (WHO).
France has been among the worst-hit nations engulfed by the latest spell of heatwave. According to AFP, the country saw five days of unusually high temperatures in May, and a record-breaking 11-day heatwave in June.
So far, France has reported 1,000 deaths, with officials warning the toll could rise further. In Germany, at least seven people have died due to heatwave-related incidents, reported Al Jazeera.
Climate experts have linked the intense heatwave spell to an “omega block" weather pattern. It is caused when a large area of high pressure gets sandwiched between two low-pressure systems.
