Europe is grappling with severe power cuts and water shortages as relentless heatwaves sweep across the southern and eastern regions. The soaring use of air conditioning units and increased demand for cold water have overwhelmed electricity and water infrastructures, leading to widespread system failures in recent weeks.
On July 22, the Earth reached its warmest day on record, with the global average temperature soaring to 17.16 degrees Celsius, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. \"We are now in truly uncharted territory and as the climate keeps warming, we are bound to see new records being broken in future months and years,\" stated Carlo Buontempo, the service's director.
In Italy, cities like Rome, Naples, and Florence experienced temperatures approaching record highs, while regions such as Sardinia and Sicily faced extreme conditions reaching up to 44 degrees Celsius. The country has responded by increasing energy imports as hydropower production declines and the demand for air conditioning surges, as reported by Italian media.
Meanwhile, Malta has endured prolonged blackouts in certain areas due to failures in the underground distribution network under intense heat. In Gzira, the power outage lasted almost 40 hours until repairs were completed, disrupting daily life and essential services.
Reference(s):
Power cuts, water shortages hit Europe amid constant heat wave
cgtn.com
