Trains Halted and Schools on Alert as Western Europe Faces Worst Heatwave in 45 Years

Daytime Highs Expected to Exceed 40 Degrees Celsius
Over 10 Middle Schools Adjust Class Schedules for Two Days

The heatwave, the most severe in 45 years, has disrupted public transportation and school classes across Europe.

On June 18 (local time), Bloomberg and AFP reported that "this year, temperatures in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and southern England in the UK are expected to soar 5 to 12 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average."

As a heatwave sweeps across France, a man is cooling off at the fountain in Stalingrad Square. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News.

Matthieu Dross, a meteorologist at the weather data analysis company Vaisala, noted that this heatwave could push cooling demand in Europe to its highest level in 45 years. In particular, the French Meteorological Agency predicted that, until June 21, daytime highs in Paris and some other regions would exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

Orange alerts, the second-highest level in the weather crisis warning system, have been issued for regions covering a quarter of France’s total area. In response, authorities have urged citizens to exercise extreme caution.

The situation has also severely impacted public transportation and school operations. The French National Railway Company (SNCF) announced the cancellation of 71 long-distance train services scheduled between now and the 21st to prevent possible air conditioning failures due to the abnormal temperatures.

More than 10 middle schools in Paris have adjusted their class schedules for two days starting today. Emmanuel Denis, the mayor of Tours, stated, "If temperatures reach 40 degrees, we will close all 58 educational institutions in the city."

There have also been fatalities suspected to be caused by the heatwave. AFP reported that, on the morning of June 18, a 30-year-old man was found in cardiac arrest on an outdoor track in Ermont, a northern suburb of Paris, and later died.

Meanwhile, Electricite de France (EDF) announced that, due to rising river temperatures caused by the heatwave, it will restrict output at the Saint-Alban nuclear power plant starting this weekend.

Recently, unusual increases in water temperature have forced French nuclear plants to reduce output. This is to comply with local safety regulations that require cooling water discharged into nearby rivers to be kept below a certain temperature.

EDF also warned that, starting June 23, other nuclear plants such as Blayais and Golfech could also be affected by the heatwave.

According to the Bloomberg bureau, orange heatwave alerts have also been issued in the UK, France, Italy, and Spain. In the area surrounding Basel, Switzerland, a red alert—the highest risk level—has been issued.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.