Over 1300 people died from anomalous heat in Europe in a week
Over 1300 people have died in Europe due to extreme heat since June 21. This was announced by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Photo: Mindaugas Kulbis / AP
Europe, he noted, is the fastest warming continent, where temperatures are rising twice as fast as the global average. Currently, about 150 million people live in conditions of extreme heat, schools are closing, and energy systems are experiencing increased load.
"Heat stress is often referred to as a 'silent killer,' and European homes, workplaces, and schools are not built for such temperatures," he added.
According to Reuters, the cause of the extremely high temperatures was the so-called omega block — an atmospheric phenomenon in which hot air remains trapped over a region for a long time.
The heat is expected to recede in the second half of the week.
Belarus is also experiencing strong heat; yesterday in Brest it was +37.6°C, which is an absolute record for June in 145 years of meteorological observations.