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The Star
02-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Roundup: Heatwaves, drought grip Europe, fueling calls for global action
BUCHAREST, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Extreme heat and worsening drought conditions are gripping large parts of Europe, fueling wildfires and prompting urgent weather alerts across multiple countries. Scientists and international agencies warn that this crisis is part of a broader "new era of drought," driven by climate change and posing escalating threats to food security, ecosystems, and national economies. SCORCHING HEAT GRIPS EUROPE Germany is experiencing what may be its hottest day of the year on Wednesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius, according to the German Weather Service, which has issued extreme heat warnings across much of the country and highlighted a rising risk of wildfires, especially in the southeast. Similar conditions are unfolding across Central Europe. In the Czech Republic, the national meteorological institute warned of "very high temperatures" and increased fire danger, with some regions expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius. Prague's emergency services have already responded to multiple heat-related incidents, and a fire ban remains in effect. Slovakia's meteorological authority issued its highest-level red alert for 10 districts on Thursday, forecasting highs up to 38 degrees Celsius as warm air masses from the west intensify the heat. Neighboring Croatia and Romania are also on alert, with peak temperatures expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius, respectively. In the Netherlands, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute confirmed the country's first official heatwave in three years. De Bilt, the national reference station, recorded five consecutive days above 30 degrees Celsius, prompting a code orange alert in the southeastern provinces. Southern Europe is faring no better. Spain continues to endure a record-breaking heatwave, with June 2025 confirmed as the country's hottest month on record. The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET reported an average monthly temperature of 23.6 degrees Celsius, hotter than typical July and August averages. Tragically, two farmers died on Tuesday in a wildfire that scorched 5,000 hectares in La Segarra, northeast Spain. In Slovenia, the Environment Agency (ARSO) noted that June 2025 was not only the hottest but also the driest month since records began, with rainfall just 24 percent of the monthly average. Heatwaves continue in Croatia, where the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) forecast maximum temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and 39 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Bosnia and Herzegovina issued an orange weather warning for July 3 and July 4, with temperatures expected to reach between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius. Meteorologist Bakir Krajinovic from the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute said that June 2025 was unprecedented in the country's measurement history, with zero rainfall recorded at meteorological stations in cities such as Tuzla and Mostar. DROUGHT SPREADING, TAKING TOLL ON ECONOMY These escalating conditions in Europe are part of a global pattern. A new report released Wednesday, Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025, presents a stark picture. Jointly prepared by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), the report warns that drought has become one of the most widespread and damaging crises of our time. "Drought was once primarily associated with rainfall and agriculture," said Daniel Tsegai, program officer at UNCCD. "Today, it is a multi-sectoral, systemic shock. No sector, no part of the economy, and no country is immune to its impacts." The report notes that the frequency of global droughts increased by 30 percent between 2000 and 2019. Driven by climate change and rising demands for land and water, droughts now threaten food supplies, water availability, biodiversity, energy systems, and public health, all critical pillars of society. Mark Svoboda, co-author and founding director of NDMC, described the situation as "a slow-moving global catastrophe, the worst I've ever seen." The economic toll is mounting rapidly. NDMC research cites an OECD estimate that the financial cost of drought today is at least double what it was in 2000, with further increases of up to 110 percent projected by 2035. "Ripple effects can turn regional droughts into global economic shocks," said co-author Cody Knutson. "No country is immune when critical water-dependent systems start to collapse." The report warns that drought is already costing some countries up to 10 percent of their GDP annually, and may soon disrupt energy grids, food supply chains, and entire ecosystems. ACTION, GLOBAL COOPERATION IN URGENT NEED The UNCCD urges countries to act immediately by investing in early warning systems, drought monitoring, and nature-based solutions such as watershed restoration. Building resilient infrastructure, including off-grid energy and alternative water technologies, is also crucial. Tsegai emphasized that combating drought requires shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive, long-term planning. Addressing these interconnected threats demands coordinated action across sectors and governance levels, involving ministries, local communities, and national governments alike. Although over 80 countries have developed national drought plans, the UNCCD warns that implementation remains a major gap. Without stronger execution and cooperation, experts caution the world could face increasingly severe and widespread drought-related crises.
The Star
02-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
BiH issues heat alert as drought breaks records
SARAJEVO, July 2 (Xinhua) -- An orange weather warning has been issued across Bosnia and Herzegovina for July 3 and 4, with temperatures expected to reach between 35 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees, especially in the south, posing serious risks to public health, agriculture, and fire safety. Meteorologist Bakir Krajinovic from the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute (FHMZ) said Tuesday that June 2025 marked an unprecedented month in the country's measurement history, with zero liters of rainfall recorded at meteorological stations in cities such as Tuzla and Mostar. "Not a single drop fell the entire month," he said, combined with record temperatures, 38.8 degrees Celsius in Sarajevo and 38 degrees in Tuzla, which is a clear sign of extreme climate change. Krajinovic warned of increased wildfire risk, severe impacts on agriculture, and potential harm to public health, especially vulnerable groups. Mid-July may bring scattered showers, but no significant relief is expected. Nedzad Bico, president of the Federation of BiH Farmers' Association, said crop and fodder production is already falling. Without urgent intervention, the consequences could stretch beyond this season.
RTÉ News
27-06-2025
- Climate
- RTÉ News
Italian cities on red alert over extreme temperatures
Rome, Venice and 19 other Italian cities are under a red alert for high temperatures this weekend, as temperatures also soared across the Balkans, triggering heatwave health warnings. In Croatia, the capital Zagreb and the country's east were at the highest risk of heat, according to the national Meteorological and Hydrological Service. Authorities remained on high alert after forest fires over the weekend destroyed dozens of homes on the country's tourism-oriented southern coast. Albania said its firefighters managed to control eight blazes in the past 24 hours. Meteorologists in Bosnia warned people to stay indoors as parts of the country were predicted to climb to 41C. "Be ready to suspend outdoor activities and prepared for high temperatures that will lead to health risks among vulnerable people, like the elderly and very young," Bosnia's meteorological institute said. This is the first of at least three heatwaves expected during the June-August period in Bosnia, said Bakir Krajinovic from the country's Federal Hydro-Meteorological Institute. Temperatures so far this month have already exceeded forecasts, and predictions for July and August indicate temperatures will be four to five degrees above average, Mr Krajinovic said. It was also the driest June on record in Bosnia, with the lowest rainfall since measurements began 135 years ago. Mr Krajinovic said climate change was driving "more intense" weather events and breaking records "more often". Parts of Serbia are predicted to climb to 39C, also significantly above seasonal average, according to Serbia's National Hydrometeorological Service. The heat is expected to ease today, with temperatures slightly dropping over the weekend, before climbing again next week, according to weather forecasts for several Balkan nations. Meanwhile, Greek firefighters said that a forest blaze that had forced evacuations around Athens was under control, but warned that scorching temperatures were keeping fire risk at a highly elevated level around the capital and on northern Aegean islands. The fire around Athens broke out yesterday near the towns of Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, around 50km east of Athens, and forced the evacuation of five villages popular with local and foreign tourists. Though it was under control, a volatile combination of high temperatures and strong winds meant that a high risk of other fires breaking out remained, especially in the Attica region around the Greek capital and some islands in the north Aegean Sea, authorities said. A spokesman for the fire service said that over 100 firefighters with 37 vehicles and a helicopter were on standby near Palaia Fokaia and Thymari. Fields, olive groves and some houses were ravaged by the blaze. The blaze came on the heels of another fire on the island of Chios -- Greece's fifth-largest island -- which had destroyed more than 4,000 hectares of land in four days.
Gulf Today
26-06-2025
- Climate
- Gulf Today
Heatwave triggers health warnings across Balkans
Temperatures soared across the Balkans on Thursday, with parts of the region expected to hit 41 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit), triggering heatwave health warnings. In Croatia, the capital Zagreb and the country's east were at the highest risk of heat, according to the national Meteorological and Hydrological Service. Authorities remained on high alert after forest fires over the weekend destroyed dozens of homes on the country's tourism-oriented southern coast. Albania said its firefighters managed to control eight blazes in the past 24 hours. Meteorologists in Bosnia warned people to stay indoors as parts of the country were predicted to climb to 41˚C. A young man jumps off a board into Lake Ohrid on a summer afternoon in Ohrid, North Macedonia. Reuters "Be ready to suspend outdoor activities and prepared for high temperatures that will lead to health risks among vulnerable people, like the elderly and very young," Bosnia's meteorological institute said. This is the first of at least three heatwaves expected during the June-August period in Bosnia, said Bakir Krajinovic from the country's Federal Hydro-Meteorological Institute. Tourists with an umbrella walk in front of the ancient Parthenon temple at the Acropolis Hill. AP Temperatures so far this month have already exceeded forecasts, and predictions for July and August indicate temperatures will be four to five degrees above average, Krajinovic said. It was also the driest June on record in Bosnia, with the lowest rainfall since measurements began 135 years ago. Krajinovic said climate change was driving "more intense" weather events and breaking records "more often." A tourist drinks water at a fountain during a heatwave in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reuters Parts of Serbia are predicted to climb to 39C, also significantly above seasonal average, according to Serbia's National Hydrometeorological Service. The heat is expected to ease by Friday, with temperatures slightly dropping over the weekend, before climbing again next week, according to weather forecasts for several Balkan nations. Agence France-Presse
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Heatwave triggers health warnings across Balkans
ZAGREB: Temperatures soared across the Balkans on Thursday, with parts of the region expected to hit 41 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit), triggering heatwave health warnings. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In Croatia, the capital Zagreb and the country's east were at the highest risk of heat, according to the national Meteorological and Hydrological Service. Authorities remained on high alert after forest fires over the weekend destroyed dozens of homes on the country's tourism-oriented southern coast. Albania said its firefighters managed to control eight blazes in the past 24 hours. Meteorologists in Bosnia warned people to stay indoors as parts of the country were predicted to climb to 41C. "Be ready to suspend outdoor activities and prepared for high temperatures that will lead to health risks among vulnerable people, like the elderly and very young," Bosnia's meteorological institute said. This is the first of at least three heatwaves expected during the June-August period in Bosnia, said Bakir Krajinovic from the country's Federal Hydro-Meteorological Institute. Temperatures so far this month have already exceeded forecasts, and predictions for July and August indicate temperatures will be four to five degrees above average, Krajinovic said. It was also the driest June on record in Bosnia, with the lowest rainfall since measurements began 135 years ago. Krajinovic said climate change was driving "more intense" weather events and breaking records "more often". Parts of Serbia are predicted to climb to 39C, also significantly above seasonal average, according to Serbia's National Hydrometeorological Service. The heat is expected to ease by Friday, with temperatures slightly dropping over the weekend, before climbing again next week, according to weather forecasts for several Balkan nations.
