Unprecedented heatwave paralyzes Europe: Spain, Greece and Croatia hit hardest
This summer, many European countries experienced exceptionally high temperatures. In Spain, August has been 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 face 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.
As reported by 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.
Record heat in Spain
The slowly subsiding heatwave 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 25 degrees Celsius, setting a new record for the continental part of the country.
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.
Water shortage in Greece
Greece has been grappling with exceptionally intense heat for many weeks, increasing the risk of widespread fires and leading 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 200 kilometres 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, during a visit to Thessaly, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, 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.
