European infrastructure is damaged amid the heat wave
European infrastructure is struggling under an intense heatwave, with roads melting, tram lines collapsing and transport networks disrupted as record temperatures sweep across the continent, according to reports and videos shared online.
The severe weather conditions damaged highways, delayed trains, put pressure on electricity networks and overwhelmed hospitals, while temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in many countries.Record temperatures sweep EuropeThe heatwave, which hit Western Europe earlier this week, had spread to central and eastern Europe by the end of the week, leading to record-breaking temperatures across the continent.Denmark recorded its hottest day since records began in 1874, with temperatures reaching 37C in Odom, north of Aarhus.
Switzerland recorded a record high of 38.8 degrees Celsius in Basel, while the Czech Republic recorded the highest temperature ever of 40.8 degrees Celsius in Duksany. In the UK, Friday became the hottest June day on record with a temperature of 37.3 degrees Celsius, breaking a record that had stood since 1976.
Roads were cracked, and rail traffic was disrupted
Germany’s transportation network bore the brunt of the extreme heat. With temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius, parts of the highway were damaged after concrete slabs on the A2 motorway outside Berlin exploded due to the heat, leading to road closures.
Other highways also reported heat damage.In France, the heatwave has also strained vital infrastructure, with reports of melting roads, power outages and train delays disrupting daily life, according to France 24. State-owned electricity company EDF said it had reduced production at some of its nuclear power plants due to extreme temperatures affecting cooling operations, but added it still had enough capacity to meet electricity demand.
Rail company Deutsche Bahn has advised against non-essential train travel over the weekend, warning that Germany’s transport infrastructure is “severely affected” by record temperatures.Elsewhere, videos shared online showed roads warping under scorching temperatures, highlighting the growing pressure on European infrastructure.
Hospitals are overwhelmed, and nursing homes have been evacuated
The heatwave has also put enormous pressure on healthcare systems.In Germany, dozens of residents were evacuated from a nursing home in Dormagen after temperatures inside reached 35 degrees Celsius. One resident died overnight, though authorities said it was still unclear whether the heat was to blame.French hospitals continued to face an increase in heat-related emergencies despite temperatures beginning to drop in some areas. Paris and 36 other regions remained under the highest heat alert on Saturday, with nearly 3,000 patients arriving at public hospital emergency departments for the second day in a row, about a third more than usual.The Paris Public Hospital Authority activated emergency plans in all 38 hospitals as calls to medical dispatch centers jumped almost 80% compared to the same period last year. Concerns about hospital capacity also led to the postponement of the Paris Pride Parade and the cancellation of a three-day music festival.
Italy and the United Kingdom remain on alert
Italy kept red heat warnings in place in 18 cities, including Rome, Venice, Florence, Bologna and Milan, as tourists sought relief in fountains and shaded streets while vendors sold bottled water, hats and umbrellas.In the UK, although temperatures were expected to cool over the weekend, yellow heat warnings remained in place. Police recovered the bodies of a 22-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy from a river and lake on Saturday, bringing the number of heat-related deaths this week in the country to four, the Associated Press news agency reported. Authorities urged people to avoid swimming in unsupervised waters.
