Heat dome, Omega Block and wildfires raise global heat risks
Severe heat is shifting from western Europe towards the Balkans, while North America and Asia face wildfires, humidity and dangerous heat indices.
- A heat dome and Omega Block are causing a severe temperature crisis in Europe, leading to record-breaking heat, wildfires, and over 1,300 excess deaths.
- North America is facing a dual crisis of above-average temperatures and severe wildfires, with a major blaze in Utah growing to become the country's largest.
- The heat risk is global, with countries across Asia also experiencing dangerously high temperatures and humidity, straining public health systems, infrastructure, and economies.
Extreme heat caused by the Heat Dome and Omega Block phenomena continues to create a temperature crisis in many parts of the world, especially in Europe, where the centre of the heat is moving from the west of the continent towards the Balkan Peninsula.
North America and Asia, meanwhile, are facing overlapping disasters, including severe wildfires and sharply rising temperatures, along with Thailand and several other tourism destinations for Thai travellers.
Situation by country in Europe
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported excess deaths, deaths that would not have occurred under normal circumstances.
In reality, during severe heatwaves, people do not always die from heatstroke itself, but extreme heat can act as a trigger that causes underlying illnesses among vulnerable groups to worsen suddenly.
The figure across the region has now exceeded 1,300 deaths since June 21, as infrastructure was not designed to cope with heat at this level.
France is facing the most severe crisis, with about 1,000 excess deaths reported.
Temperatures rose above 43.8°C in the town of Pulluau, while fatal drowning accidents increased as people entered the water to cool down.
The Czech Republic broke its all-time national temperature record at 41.9°C in Doksany.
Germany recorded temperatures of 41.7°C.
A wildfire broke out in Gohrischheide, while German rail operator Deutsche Bahn warned people to avoid travel because railway tracks were at risk of buckling in the extreme heat.
Poland saw temperatures reach 40.5°C in Słubice, breaking a 105-year record.
The government had to install “water curtains” in major cities to ease the heat.
Hungary faced consecutive temperatures above 40.7°C, prompting the public health system to declare its highest alert level.
North America faces an acute, severe wildfire crisis
Temperatures in the southern and western United States remain above normal averages, with strong gusts of wind, causing several severe wildfires to break out at the same time.
Most recently, the Cottonwood Fire in Utah expanded to become the largest wildfire in the country at present, burning more than 92,000 acres, or about 370 square kilometres, within a few days.
The blaze remains completely uncontained.
Reports also said three firefighters had died while trying to control a fire near the Colorado-Utah border, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency.
South and Southeast Asia swelter
Although actual temperatures in some parts of Southeast Asia may appear lower than those in Europe, very high relative humidity makes it difficult for the body to release heat.
North Asia and Central Asia have also begun facing the first summer heatwave, which is already more severe than in previous years.
In Thailand, Bangkok reported a Heat Index as high as 51.9°C, a severe danger level with a risk of sudden heatstroke.
South Asia, including India and Pakistan, has become another heat centre on the continent.
Churu in India’s Rajasthan state saw temperatures rise to 50.3°C, while Sukkur and Dadu in Pakistan recorded temperatures of 50°C.
China’s national meteorological authority issued an orange heatwave warning covering northern and eastern areas, including Beijing and Shanghai, where temperatures exceeded 40°C.
Authorities warned tourists to avoid walking around outdoor sites, such as the Great Wall of China, at midday.
In Japan, a high-pressure system spread across the country, pushing temperatures in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka above 35-38°C earlier than usual.
The number of patients taken to the hospital with acute heatstroke rose sharply, and Heat Stroke Alerts were issued in several prefectures.
Kazakhstan, despite its semi-desert terrain and high mountains, saw short bursts of heat in major cities such as Almaty and Astana, pushing temperatures above 38-40°C in lowland areas.
This underlines that the heatwave has now expanded into Central Asia.
Several groups overseas have issued warnings that go beyond weather, saying the situation is significantly shaking economic systems, attitudes towards tourism and public health.
There are three main long-term impacts to watch.
The crisis shows that existing infrastructure has not kept pace with change.
Many homes and small hotels, especially in Europe and old cities in Asia, were built to retain warmth rather than release heat.
As a result, low-income groups and budget travellers who cannot access accommodation with high-efficiency air-conditioning have become among those most at risk from indoor temperatures exceeding safe limits.
Heat has sharply reduced effective working hours for informal workers, including those in construction, transport and agriculture.
At the same time, worldwide demand for energy to run air-conditioning, including in the service and tourism sectors, is placing enormous pressure on power infrastructure around the world.
Hospitals in major countries, including important tourist cities, have begun facing pressure from admissions for acute heat-related illnesses among both residents and foreign tourists.
