Europe is currently grappling with a severe and widespread heatwave, characterized by record-breaking temperatures, extensive wildfires, and prolonged droughts. This extreme weather, often attributed to an African anticyclone and exacerbated by climate change, has led to numerous fatalities, mass evacuations, and significant disruptions across the continent, prompting experts to warn that humanity must adapt to more frequent and intense heatwaves.

Greece has been particularly hard-hit by wildfires. A major blaze in eastern Crete near Achlia, Ferma, and Skinokapsala forced the evacuation of approximately 5,000 people, predominantly foreign tourists. Strong winds and high temperatures fueled the rapid spread of the fire, causing extensive damage to homes, greenhouses, villas, hotels, and businesses in coastal and inland areas, including Agia Fotia, which also experienced power outages. Police closed major roads due to hazardous air quality and urged non-essential travel avoidance. Additionally, new wildfires prompted evacuations in coastal areas south of Athens, specifically in Agios Dimitrious in Koropi, eastern Attica, requiring a large-scale emergency response with firefighters, ground teams, helicopters, and aircraft.

Turkey has also faced deadly wildfires, with an 81-year-old man dying from smoke inhalation in Cesme and a forestry worker losing his life in the western Izmir province. These blazes, fanned by fierce winds, scorching heat, and low humidity, rendered around 200 homes uninhabitable and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands. While most fires have been brought under control, firefighting efforts continued with ground crews, planes, and helicopters, even extending support to Syria, where wildfires were complicated by unexploded munitions.

In Germany, hundreds of firefighters have been battling blazes for days in eastern regions like Gohrischheide, on the border between Saxony and Brandenburg. Two firefighters sustained serious burns, and over 100 residents were evacuated from villages like Heidehäuser, Neudorf, and Lichtensee. The presence of unexploded ammunition on former military training grounds made firefighting particularly hazardous. Authorities deployed helicopters and even a firefighting robot, with efforts ongoing to contain the flames that ripped through hundreds of square kilometers.

The heatwave's impact extended beyond fires. Poland is experiencing a historic drought, with rivers like the Vistula, Odra, Warta, Bug, and Narew registering their lowest water levels ever, breaking records. Forecasts for July and early August predict continued heatwaves with temperatures exceeding 35°C and almost no precipitation, raising concerns for the country’s eastern, central, and southern regions.

The Western Balkan region, including Albania, Serbia, and Kosovo, is also suffering from severe drought. Albania has seen temperatures reach 40°C, with rivers almost dry, impacting agriculture and primarily hydropower-based electricity production, necessitating energy imports. Serbia’s crops are affected by