Temperatures reached record heights in the history of modern Europe. Schools are shut down, mobility of trains slowed down, landmark tourists and cultural landscapes remain face closure and a steep electricity crisis has engulfed many countries. Farmers are forced to harvest grains in the night, as they are unable to bear the scorching heat during the day. This is the most deadly heatwave that the Western Europe has ever witnessed.
In fact, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu mobilised the highest level health services to attend emergency cases in the wake of soaring heatwaves. The government has also urged to halt the non-urgent operations in the hospitals, so that more focus can be given to those who are affected by the hot weather. While France remains in the worst hit country with maximum human toll, Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy are also grappling with the ill-effects of heatwaves.
Record 40.9 degree celcius in France kills 50 lives
This week France hit a record temperature of 44.3 degree celsius and marked the hottest day ever in the past 80 years. Unable to bear intense heat, as per the reports at least 48 people have died in France. Many of them jumped into rivers and water streams to escape from the heatwave and get relief. However, many of them died by drowning. Two other children were killed due to massive heat accumulated inside the car. The Mayor of Paris urged the citizens to slow down, avoid unnecessary travel and take precautionary measures to avoid vulnerability to heatwaves.
France’s Sports Minister said that too many people were trying to cool off in rivers and canals without necessarily taking the risks into account. A13-year-old girl who had gone for a dip with her family in the River Seine at Fontaine-La Port died as she didn’t know how to swim. Meanwhile, a young professional footballer remains in critical condition in hospital after being pulled out of the River Rhône in a park near Lyon.
Four other young men were also hospitalised as they jumped into the river, in an area where swimming was apparently prohibited. Unable to bear heatwaves, the people in France are indulging in risky endeavours to cool themselves, that is costing lives.
A rare weather pattern known as an Omega block was causing the record-breaking temperatures across Europe. It is a weather phenomenon where intensifying heat spirals over a region for a prolonged duration. Weather agency Meteo-France, a weather agency, reiterated that the present conditions are comparable to a heatwave in August 2003 that lasted 16 days and caused nearly 80,000 deaths across Europe.
As per World Meteorological Organisation(WMO), Europe is warming at a pace which is more than twice the global average. As an example to the soaring heatwave of Paris, the models in the Paris Annual Fashion Week, could be seen sweating and struggling to sustain the heat. The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum shut on June 23, Tuesday, as tourists will not be able to bear the impact of heatwaves and which will have huge health implications.
The construction workers have also changed their work timings, as it is difficult to work during bright day time, due to heatwaves. A French agriculture cooperative said farmers were introducing night shifts for harvesting, to protect workers from afternoon heat and shield fields from fire risk. On the other hand, demands for air-conditioners, portable fans are on rise, as companies face difficulty in large-scale supply.
The French Education Minister said that 13,500 schools were closed or placed on special schedules, with many schools in parts of Europe not able to adequately protect children from the heat. Even a nuclear power plant in southwest France was shut down, because water temperatures in the River Garonne were set to reach 28C which is not suitable to cool the reactors.. Under French laws, water used to cool the reactors at the Golfech plant must not exceed that temperature.
The bias and silence of western media
While the western media loudly amplify the sovereign problems of India, many of them predominantly remain silent on the heatwave crisis entangling Europe. Just a few months ago, the heatwaves in India drew massive attention in the western media platforms and the policy, governance of India was severely criticised. However, they remain starkly silent when the same crisis hits Europe at an even higher scale causing huge deaths. This is clear evidence for selective ignorance, fake narratives and targeted attacks on India.
For example, in Southern England and Wales temperature hit a record of 37 degree celsius. In Italy 5 people have succumbed to the heatwaves, who include farmers and labourers. Even in Britain more than 1,000 schools have been shut as temperatures crossed 40 degree celsius. The tourist attractions of London such as Tower Bridge have been closed and even the very popular change of guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace was cancelled, as it is impossible to bear the heat.
Transport across London and southern England is also impacted. Many rail operators advised passengers to only make essential trips during the heatwave as speed restrictions have led to reduction to services. In Germany and Austria, many sporting events and marathons held over the weakened have been called off, as the public will not be able to bear the heat.
As record heatwaves engulf Europe, causing massive disruption to lives and economic activities, the western media does minimal reporting without amplification or questioning the failures of the government. However, heatwaves in India are manipulated as a policy failure of the government and the stakeholders are questioned. This selective ignorance and biased reporting of western media against India is a long-standing strategy to defame the economic development and growth story of India.
