International
oi-Ashish Rana
Europe is facing one of its most intense and widespread heatwaves on record, with extreme temperatures disrupting daily life, damaging infrastructure and causing a rising number of deaths. Several countries have recorded temperatures above 40°C, while authorities continue to issue health warnings as the scorching conditions move across the continent.
Europe faces an intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40°C causing widespread disruption and over 1,300 WHO-reported excess deaths since June 21; countries like Germany and Slovakia set new records, while infrastructure damage and strained power grids, including Ukraine’s, are significant concerns.
The prolonged spell of extreme heat has overwhelmed hospitals, strained power networks and triggered emergency measures in multiple nations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the soaring temperatures have already resulted in significant loss of life since late June.
WHO Reports Over 1,300 Heat-Related Deaths
The World Health Organization (WHO) said more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded across Europe since June 21 that are “linked to high temperatures in Europe”. The fatalities include children who died after being left inside locked vehicles and young people who drowned while attempting to cool off in unsupervised swimming areas.
Are they blaming their PM/President for the weather change? pic.twitter.com/Ixu3nqRud4
— Mr Sinha (@Mrsinha) June 29, 2026
France has been among the worst-hit countries. Mortuaries and funeral homes in Paris have reported an increase in heat-related deaths, while authorities confirmed at least 74 drowning fatalities since June 18. Although temperatures have started easing in parts of France, the country’s weather service has already warned that another heatwave is likely to arrive in July.
Record Temperatures Damage Roads And Transport
The heatwave has broken temperature records across several European countries after first sweeping through western Europe before moving eastward.
Germany recorded temperatures exceeding 41°C, while the Czech Republic crossed the 40°C mark. Switzerland’s city of Basel registered a record 38.8°C, Denmark experienced its hottest day since weather records began in 1874, and the United Kingdom recorded its hottest June day on record.
🥵 Germany is literally melting in the heat
In Leipzig, the extreme temperatures caused the sealant used around tram tracks to melt. It seeped into the rails and track switches before hardening into large clumps.
This is what the record-breaking heatwave is doing to Germany👇 pic.twitter.com/LfbLkCRGml
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 29, 2026
Slovakia also set a new national high, with temperatures reaching 41°C in Turna nad Bodvou, according to the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU).
The extreme heat has also caused roads to soften and melt in several regions, while tram tracks have buckled under the intense sun, disrupting transport services and highlighting the impact of prolonged high temperatures on public infrastructure.
Governments Roll Out Emergency Measures
Hungary came close to matching its all-time temperature record after the mercury climbed to 41.8°C in Aszod, just below the country’s highest-ever reading of 41.9°C recorded in 2007.
🥵 Its so hot in Poland that people are frying eggs outdoors
In Warsaw, a woman left a frying pan in the sun and, after a while, cooked an egg on it.
Poland is in the grip of an extreme heatwave, with temperatures approaching 40°C in some areas. On the bright side, you can… pic.twitter.com/YKzKdUZhft
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 28, 2026
Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar urged government employees to work from home wherever possible. He also called for outdoor public work to be rescheduled, asked restaurants to provide free drinking water and directed that air-conditioned public spaces remain open to help residents cope with the extreme conditions.
Ukraine’s Power Network Under Fresh Pressure
Ukraine’s already fragile energy infrastructure has come under renewed strain as the heatwave coincides with a power grid weakened by years of Russian attacks.
Authorities introduced emergency power outages after the state Hydrometeorological Centre warned the country would experience “intense heat”, with temperatures expected to remain between 35°C and 38°C. The combination of soaring electricity demand and damaged infrastructure has further complicated efforts to maintain a stable power supply as the heatwave continues across the region.
