Amman, June 22 (Petra) — A severe and intensifying heatwave is
sweeping across Europe this week, prompting several nations to
enforce emergency precautionary measures, including school closures
in France and Germany and train cancellations in Belgium.

In France, the national weather service declared an unprecedented
“red” alert its highest warning level across 54 departments, covering
more than half of the country and affecting approximately 38.8
million people. An “orange” alert was maintained in 40 other
departments, as the agency reported that the country recorded its
highest-ever average temperature for the month of June on Monday.

The extreme conditions have turned hazardous, with 13 people drowning
since Saturday after attempting to swim to escape the heat.
Authorities also reported that two children died from extreme heat
inside a family vehicle. In response to the soaring temperatures, 845
primary and secondary schools were closed, while school hours were
adjusted across roughly 1,800 other educational institutions.

Spain is enduring its second consecutive day of the heatwave, with
the northern Basque region severely impacted. Authorities issued a
red alert as temperatures surpassed 40 degrees Celsius, warning that
temperatures are trending 5 to 10 degrees Celsius above seasonal
averages.

In neighboring Portugal, Tuesday is projected to be the hottest day
of the week. The national meteorological agency has placed three
inland regions under an orange alert, the country’s second-highest
warning level.

Belgium is bracing for what could be its “hottest week ever
recorded,” with average temperatures forecast to exceed 27 degrees
Celsius, according to David Dehenauw, head of forecasting at the
Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM). To mitigate the risk of
infrastructure failures during peak heat hours, the National Railway
Company of Belgium cancelled several scheduled train services on
Monday and Tuesday.

In the Netherlands, local meteorological reports indicate that
temperatures could climb to 37 degrees Celsius by the end of the
week. A countrywide yellow alert remains in place due to stifling and
oppressive atmospheric conditions.

The United Kingdom is also facing extreme conditions, with the Met
Office on Monday issuing a rare red “extreme heat” warning the
highest level of alert for Wednesday and Thursday across parts of
southern England. The weather office stated that maximum temperatures
in the shade will exceed 37 degrees Celsius and could reach 38 to 40
degrees Celsius in areas including London, Birmingham, and Cardiff in
Wales. Forecasters warned that exceptionally warm and humid nights
would offer little relief and further strain public endurance.

Akshay Deoras, a senior research scientist in atmospheric science at
the University of Reading, warned that England is confronting an
unprecedented heatwave. He expressed serious concerns over widespread
repercussions for public health, core infrastructure, and essential
services. Several schools in southwest England closed earlier than
scheduled, and select rail services bound for west London were
suspended.

In Germany, temperatures are projected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius
in western and southwestern regions, threatening to break the
country’s all-time record maximum of 41.2 degrees Celsius.
Educational institutions across multiple German states have suspended
classes as a safety measure against the intense heat.

//Petra// AF