Western Europe records historic heat as drought disrupts power and shipping

Record high temperatures and severe drought across Western and Central Europe during June and July have triggered widespread operational and economic disruptions. Global ocean surface temperatures reached an unprecedented 20.96°C in July, while global air temperatures averaged 1.47°C above pre-industrial levels.

In Central Europe, falling river levels forced nuclear power plants in Romania and Hungary to curtail operations or temporarily shut down reactors. Romanian naval units conducted controlled underwater detonations along the Danube River to clear obstructions and channel cooling water toward an operational facility. Declining water levels have also exposed historical artifacts, including World War II equipment and prehistoric remains.

Analysts estimate that reduced inland waterway navigation and curtailed energy output could inflict up to two billion euros in economic damages across affected European regions during the third quarter.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Jornal Económico, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)