Record heatwaves and natural disasters hit Europe this summer

This summer, many European countries experienced exceptionally high temperatures. In Spain, August was recorded as the hottest month in history. On the other hand, Greece struggled with a prolonged drought that reduced water supplies in many regions. Meanwhile, in Croatia, residents had to contend with dangerous storms and drought.

On Monday, a natural disaster was declared in two regions of Croatia. In Koprivnica-Križevci County, this state was introduced due to drought, while in Bjelovar-Bilogora County, it was caused by strong storms. The Croatian Hydrometeorological Service had previously reported that temperatures across the country were higher than average for the first eight months of this year.

According to Interia, forecasts suggest that the heatwave in the Adriatic region will finally subside in the coming days. Experts predict that the heatwave may end by midweek, but from Thursday, more frequent storms and intense rainfall are expected.

The slowly subsiding heatwave particularly affected Spain. There, August turned out to be the hottest month in the history of measurements conducted in the country. According to Interia, the average temperature reached as high as 77 degrees Fahrenheit, setting a new record for the continental part of Spain.

Spanish meteorologists forecast that the entire year 2024 has a high chance of becoming the warmest year in the country's history, matching the record year of 2022. If these forecasts prove true, it will be another piece of evidence of the intensification of extreme weather phenomena in Europe.

Greece has been grappling with exceptionally intense heat for many weeks, which not only increases the risk of widespread fires but also leads to serious problems with the water supply. The ongoing drought particularly affects the Attica region, where the situation is becoming increasingly dramatic.

Moreover, for the first time in 30 years, the village of Kallio has emerged from underwater. This locality was flooded in the 1970s after a dam was built about 124 miles west of the country's capital, creating the Mornos Reservoir. According to Interia, this artificial reservoir provides drinking water to, among others, Athens. In recent months, the water level in reservoirs in this area has dropped by about 30 percent, prompting the Greek authorities to appeal for water conservation.

On Monday, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during a visit to Thessaly, emphasized the need to improve water resource management in the country. He pointed out that June and July were record hot, exacerbating the drought in many regions of Greece.