Beyond western Europe, the scorching conditions also gripped central and eastern parts of the continent. Countries including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and several Balkan states recorded unusually high temperatures, with some areas setting new heat records.
In Ukraine, soaring electricity demand forced authorities to impose power outages as the country’s power grid came under severe strain. Romania, meanwhile, faced another weather extreme when violent storms swept through the country shortly after its intense heatwave.
Arriving earlier than usual, this summer’s deadly heat has already shattered temperature records across Europe, exposing the growing pressure climate extremes are placing on infrastructure, public health and emergency services.
Credit: France24

