Bavarian heat wave peaks at 36°C, sparking drought and rising death toll FAST-MOVING

The German Weather Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst) warned that temperatures in Bavaria could reach up to 36 °C on Sunday, with nights offering only limited relief. Isolated thunderstorms and brief showers are also expected. The extreme heat has deepened drought conditions, leading to very low water levels in rivers such as the Lech and the Danube, threatening agriculture and water supplies.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has revised its estimate of heat‑related fatalities, now counting about 11,900 deaths in Germany by the end of July – well above the previous record of 2018. The majority of victims are elderly, especially those over 85, and the toll is driven by the combination of high temperatures and pre‑existing health issues. Experts describe the summer as approaching a “century‑summer” due to the sustained heat, low precipitation and the resulting ecological stress.

Authorities are urged to improve heat protection measures, coordinate responses across federal, state and local levels, and consider longer‑term climate‑adaptation policies to mitigate the health and environmental impacts of such extreme weather events.