Germany’s Robert Koch Institute said on Wednesday that heatwaves caused the deaths of about 12,500 people in the country between April 6 and August 2, in one of the highest tolls recorded in recent years.
The institute said in a recent report that heat-related deaths this year exceeded some previous years, including 2018 and 2019, as Germany experienced unusually high summer temperatures.
Elderly people hit hardest
The report said the over-85 age group recorded the highest number of deaths, with about 6,300 cases, followed by the 75-84 group with more than 3,100, and the 65-74 group with around 1,900.
People under 65 accounted for about 1,200 heat-related deaths, showing that older adults remain the most vulnerable during periods of extreme heat.
One week alone saw thousands of deaths
The institute also recorded about 9,600 heat-related deaths in just one week between June 22 and 28, when temperatures in many parts of Germany reached the 40s Celsius.
Its estimates were based on death figures from the Federal Statistical Office and data from 52 weather stations operated by the German Weather Service.
France raises alert levels
In France, the national weather service warned of the impact of a severe heatwave affecting most of the country, placing 80 regions on orange alert and forecasting temperatures of 38 to 40 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday.
The agency said the heatwave was increasing the risk of wildfires, while drinking water supplies were under growing pressure in several areas, leading to outages affecting tens of thousands of people.
Water and environmental pressure
French weather officials said about 1,370 waterways, or 43% of the total, were experiencing disrupted flow or drying up amid the ongoing heat.
Environment Transition Minister Monique Barbut said repeated heatwaves could cost France between 10 billion and 15 billion euros. She added that water supplies for about 550,000 people were under pressure last week, while nearly 3 million people were being monitored.
Agriculture also affected
Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard described the situation as “unprecedented” for farmers and said a broad support plan would be prepared on August 27.
France’s weather service expects temperatures to begin easing gradually from the weekend, although the effects of the heatwave will continue to be felt across water systems and agriculture.
Conclusion:
The figures from Germany and France show the growing toll heatwaves are taking on public health, water supplies and farming across Europe. With extreme temperatures becoming more frequent, officials warn that human and economic losses could keep rising unless adaptation measures are expanded.
