Europe faces second historic heatwave in two months

Europe is experiencing its second historic heatwave in two months, with urgent alerts issued across more than a dozen countries. The extreme temperatures have caused disruptions to railway lines in Great Britain, instability in the French power grid, and the early closure of major landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

Météo-France reported that France has recorded its hottest days on record this year. The current severity is being compared to the August 2003 heatwave, which resulted in approximately 70,000 deaths across the continent. The impact is intensified by a lack of widespread air conditioning; in France, only about one-quarter of homes are equipped with the technology, while in Great Britain, it is often viewed as a luxury.

Local authorities have implemented various cooling measures. In the Île-de-France region, a website has been launched to help residents find climate refuges. Similar services are active in Berlin, Vienna, and Barcelona. Experts recommend that tourists utilize air-conditioned metro lines in London, visit underground sites like catacombs or bunkers, and seek shade in museums and churches to mitigate heat exposure.