Extreme weather sweeping Europe. Floods, fires, and storms.
It's been a tumultuous time for Europe's weather, with some serious challenges causing havoc across the continent. Nature's fury has been unleashed, bringing about various forms of weather disaster that are leaving a significant impact in their wake.
Croatia is grappling with heavy downpours that have led to severe flooding in parts of the country. Aerial views reveal homes and fields submerged underwater, prompting the deployment of the army to lend a hand.
Meanwhile, Slovenia has experienced a truly severe weather event, with intense rainfall resulting in a devastating natural disaster. Tragically, lives have been lost as flooding and landslides cut off villages and disrupt transportation in northeastern and central regions. Slovenian Prime Minister reports that around two-thirds of the country has been hit, estimating the damage toll to soar beyond half a billion euros.
Austria, too, is feeling the brunt of this extreme weather, battling flooding caused by persistent heavy rainfall. The Carinthia and Styria regions are bearing the brunt of the impact, grappling with rising waters.
Spain is confronting a fierce battle against wildfires in Catalonia, a northeastern region. These flames have devoured over 500 hectares of land, forcing the evacuation of more than 130 individuals from coastal areas. Officials are taking no chances, maintaining strict safety measures to protect residential zones adjacent to the wildfire's path.
Over in Portugal, firefighters numbering over a thousand are bravely tackling a blaze in the Castelo Branco area. As a forest fire rages, a large plume of smoke from afar casts a shadow over the renowned shrine of Fatima, where Pope Francis recently paid a visit.
The weather authorities are on high alert, issuing a red heat warning in Lisbon as the World Youth Day Catholic festival unfolds. Pilgrims are being urged to stay hydrated amidst the intense conditions.
Shifting our focus beyond Europe, China's northeastern Hebei province has felt the remnants of a storm that wreaked havoc, displacing a staggering one million people from their homes. Typhoon Doksuri initially struck southeastern China's Fujian province before weakening and moving northward.
The aftermath of the storm has drenched Hebei, a province home to 75 million residents, along with neighboring Beijing and Tianjin. The deluge has caused flooding that trapped residents, destroyed bridges, and highways, tragically claiming around 30 lives. This series of events underscores the dire need for enhanced preparedness against more frequent extreme weather, a trend experts attribute to climate change.
The affected residents have found refuge in makeshift shelters, set up in hotels and schools, according to reports from state media. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the growing challenges posed by unpredictable weather patterns across the globe.
As Europe and the rest of the world grapple with these unprecedented weather events, it becomes evident that addressing the climate crisis is no longer a distant concern but a pressing priority. The impacts of extreme weather are being deeply felt, urging us all to come together to safeguard our communities and our planet.
Chief forecaster and ideologist of the weather forecast service Pogodnik. Co-author of scientific articles and specialized content for various online media.
