State of natural disaster declared as Europe battles extreme heat
During the summer, many European countries experienced exceptionally high temperatures. In Spain, August was recorded as the hottest month in history. Greece, on the other hand, struggled with a prolonged drought that reduced water supplies in many regions. Meanwhile, in Croatia, residents had to face dangerous storms and drought.
On Monday, a natural disaster was declared in two regions of Croatia. In Koprivnica-Križevci County, this was due to the drought, while in Bjelovar-Bilogora County, the cause was severe storms. The Croatian hydrometeorological service had earlier reported that during the first eight months of this year, temperatures throughout the country were higher than the averages for this period.
According to Interia, forecasts suggest that the heat in the Adriatic region will finally subside in the coming days. Experts predict that the heatwave could end by the middle of the week, but we can expect more frequent storms and heavy rain starting Thursday.
Record heat in Spain
The slowly receding heat particularly affected Spain. There, August was the hottest month in the history of measurements conducted in Spain. According to Interia, the average temperature reached as high as 77 degrees Fahrenheit, setting a new record for the continental part of the country.
Spanish meteorologists predict that 2024 has a high chance of becoming the hottest year in the country's history, matching the record-breaking year of 2022. If these forecasts come true, it will be further evidence of the intensification of extreme weather events in Europe.
Water shortage in Greece
Greece has been struggling with exceptionally intense heat waves for many weeks, increasing the risk of widespread fires and leading to serious water supply issues. The advancing drought particularly affects the Attica region, where the situation is becoming increasingly dramatic.
Additionally, for the first time in 30 years, the village of Kallio emerged from the water. This locality was submerged in the 1970s after the Mornos Dam was erected around 125 miles west of the country's capital. According to Interia, the resulting artificial reservoir supplies drinking water to Athens, among other places. In recent months, the water level in the reservoirs in this area has fallen by approximately 30%, prompting the Greek authorities to appeal for water conservation.
On Monday, during a visit to Thessaly, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed the need to improve water resource management in the country. He highlighted that June and July were record hot, exacerbating the drought in many regions of Greece.
