Europe swelters as heat tops 40C in Spain, France and Cyprus; Rhine barge traffic halts
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9 days · 11 summary articles
Extreme heat and drought gripped Europe on Wednesday as temperatures soared above 40°C in parts of Spain, France, and Cyprus, while water shortages and economic disruptions deepened across the continent.
In Germany, the Rhine River’s water levels neared historic lows, with the Kaub gauge expected to drop to a single-digit reading this week, halting commercial barge traffic south of the point, according to Jens Schwanen, managing director of the Binnenschifffahrtsverband. The German Institute for Economic Research warned that if low water persists for four to six weeks, the economic damage could become significant, as industries like chemicals and construction face supply chain disruptions. Covestro, a chemical giant, already reported restricted raw material and goods transport due to the drought .
France placed 78 departments under orange heat alerts, with temperatures forecast to exceed 35°C in most regions and reach 40°C in central and southern areas, Météo-France reported. Spain’s Madrid region braced for 40°C on Wednesday, with yellow warnings in effect, while the AEMET meteorological agency predicted no relief until the weekend .
In Galicia, Spain, the regional government declared drought alerts in 32 municipalities and pre-alert status in 59 others, imposing water restrictions, including bans on filling private pools and non-essential irrigation. The Confederación Hidrográfica del Miño-Sil had already declared a pre-alert after July river flows dropped 45% below normal, with some areas facing nighttime supply cuts .
The Netherlands issued a surface water usage ban near Amsterdam starting Friday, as the Rhine hit its lowest recorded levels, and 1.3 million people faced hosepipe bans. Dutch bank Triodos estimated Europe’s heatwave and drought could cost the EU nearly 1% of GDP, or €180 billion, citing reduced labor productivity, agricultural losses, and transport disruptions .
In North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, the DWD forecast temperatures of 31–38°C through Friday, with no rain expected. Eastern Slovakia’s reservoirs remained 70–80% full despite extreme heat, but fish farms reported oxygen shortages and water temperatures nearing critical levels, with one porybný, Matej Grentzer, stating the situation was the worst in 40 years .
Cyprus issued a yellow warning for 40°C inland temperatures on Wednesday, while Ireland’s Met Éireann placed Leinster and County Tipperary under high-temperature advisories. The UK’s Cobra emergency committee convened as heatwaves threatened economic output, with think tank estimates suggesting £4.4 billion in losses so far this year .
A typhoon weakened to a tropical depression over the Sea of Japan on Wednesday after making landfall in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, the previous night .
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