Europe braces for record-breaking heatwave

A young woman stands under an artificial waterfall in a public pool in Grossroehrsdorf, eastern Germany, Wednesday, July 24, 2019. A heatwave hit big parts of Europe. (Robert Michael/dpa via AP)

BERLIN — Europeans are jumping into public fountains and the sea to keep cool as parts of Europe could see a record-breaking heatwave.

Paris and other parts of France could see temperatures exceeding 40 °C (104 °F) on Thursday along with Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.

The heat is putting pressure on authorities to help protect the elderly and the sick. Air conditioning is not common at homes, offices, schools or hospitals in European cities.

The weather is also aggravating droughts since it hasn’t rained much in many parts of Europe this summer. The combination of heat, wind, and the risk of lightning from thunderstorms also increases the risk of wildfires such as those blazing in Portugal, according to the World Meteorological Organization. /kga