France launches emergency heat‑wave response as record temperatures cause deaths and power cuts

France is confronting an unprecedented heat wave with daily temperatures approaching 40 °C in the south‑east and widespread orange alerts across the country. The government, led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, convened a new inter‑ministerial crisis cell on 29 June to review the health, socioeconomic and agricultural impacts and to prepare for future episodes. Health authorities report about 1 000 excess deaths, mainly among seniors, while the national emergency services saw a 20 % rise in interventions.

Severe storms linked to the heat wave knocked out electricity for roughly 63 000 households, with Enedis reporting critical cuts in several departments. Schools suspended classes for more than 1 300 institutions and various local measures were taken, including the distribution of chalk (Blanc de Meudon) for window coating, the use of anti‑heat films, and advice on low‑cost insulation tricks. In Berlin, police deployed water cannons to cool public spaces, while in France other outlets highlighted the popularity of air‑conditioner noise videos for sleep and provided guidance on vehicle AC use.

The crisis prompted calls for minimum service requirements for public pools during heat alerts and sparked debate over the expansion of air‑conditioning in schools and public buildings. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as forecasts indicate a high probability of further intense heat in early July.