Prolonged heatwaves disrupt European transport and energy networks

Europe is enduring its fifth major heatwave of the summer, triggering severe droughts, escalating wildfire hazards, and stressing vital infrastructure across the continent. According to the United Nations meteorological agency, periods of extreme heat have grown progressively more frequent, intense, and geographically expansive since shifts first recorded in 1976.

The prolonged high temperatures have caused water levels on critical transport corridors, including the Danube and the Rhine, to drop toward record lows, restricting commercial river navigation. Dwindling water volumes have also hindered electricity generation in countries such as Hungary, while public health systems face heightened operational pressure. Observers note that these compounding disruptions demonstrate that the immediate economic costs of climate change are already materialising across European supply chains.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix, Poslovni dnevnik, Vijesti.