• HEAT WAVES IN EUROPE •

The heat waves in 2003 made Europe a frying pan. This heat wave swept off 50,000 people in just a matter of seconds. It even caused a huge destruction of crops like grapes and oranges. Much of Southern and Eastern Europe is still suffering from it. The temperatures reached as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) after these heat waves. Average summer temperatures for Europe normally range from about 30 to 35 degrees Celsius (86 to 95 Fahrenheit). They were caused due to masses of hot air coming from the Sahara Desert and moving north.

The following countries are the main and worst affected countries of Europe-

France

14,847 people died during the heat wave in France. It was shocking as France had never had very hot summers, they were not well equipped to face these heat waves (e.g.- they did not have Air Conditioners or coolers). They did not even know the basics like- How to prevent dehydration. Even the rescue teams were not equipped or planned for these. The heat wave occurred in August, a time of holidays for everyone. All the unclaimed bodies were kept in a warehouse in Paris , as their Relatives had gone for holidays. In the end the there were still 57 bodies were unclaimed.

Italy

20,000 people died as the temperature of 38 degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius.

U.K

Since 1911, the temperature never went higher than 37.9 Degrees Celsius in the united Kingdom,but during the heat waves, the temperature reached to 38.1, claiming907 lives.

Germany

The temperature was 40.7 degrees celsius. There wasn't any death,but a loss in economy as the rainfall was half the average and the rivers flowed at their lowest and ships could sail at this time.

Switzerland

It was the country that was most effected. At tempratures of 41.5 degrees celsius, avalanches and flash floods took place. Before thisDisaster, the temprature in Switzerland never rose to 40 degrees C.

The year 1998 was the warmest ever recorded and the 1990s the hottest decade of the millennium. 2003 will easily overtake 1998 as the hottest year so far. In addition, seven of the ten hottest summers recorded in Germany since the 1860s have occurred in the last 13 years.

There were 50,000 people dead and destruction was of millions of dollars. This was one of the most devastating disasters in the history of Europe .