A severe heat wave sweeping across Europe has prompted Italy to place all of its major cities under the highest level of heat alert as of Thursday. The extreme conditions have driven temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in several countries, triggering widespread health warnings, energy and transportation disruptions, and intensifying wildfires.

Italy’s Health Ministry issued red alerts for all 27 cities monitored under its national heat surveillance system for the first time this year, covering locations from Trieste in the northeast to Palermo in Sicily. These warnings highlight health risks for the general population, not only vulnerable groups such as older adults or individuals with chronic illnesses. Authorities have urged people and tourists to avoid direct sunlight during peak hours, stay indoors when possible, and maintain hydration.

The heat has also forced operational changes at major tourist sites in Italy. The ministries of tourism and culture extended evening visiting hours for landmarks including Rome’s Colosseum and Pantheon. To provide relief, mist cooling fans were installed at the Colosseum entrances, along with additional medical stations. In Rome’s Marconi district, a temporary municipal “urban beach” featuring pools, water fountains, and shaded areas was established, offering residents and families a respite from the heat.

Austria experienced the highest temperatures recorded in its history, reaching 41.2 degrees Celsius in the village of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg near the Slovak border on Wednesday. The country is also grappling with a significant drought, with rainfall between January and June 27% below the long-term average and some eastern regions receiving only half their usual precipitation. Climatologist Alexander Orlik noted that certain areas have not seen drought conditions this severe since 1885.

Central Europe has been particularly affected by drought impacts on energy production. In Slovakia, record temperatures and low water levels in the Danube River forced the largest hydroelectric plant in Gabčíkovo to shut down seven out of eight turbines, resulting in a 15% decrease in electricity production compared to last year. Hungary’s sole nuclear power plant, which depends on Danube water for cooling, has also had to reduce output drastically to about 10% of normal capacity. The Hungarian government has introduced emergency conservation measures, including prohibiting freight trains during peak hours (5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and switching off decorative lighting on landmarks in Budapest. Major companies such as Mol, Gedeon Richter, Suzuki, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW have announced plans to reduce electricity consumption.

Germany is confronting challenges related to diminishing water levels on the Rhine and other rivers, which threaten inland waterway shipping, industry, and logistics. Transport Minister Steffen Bilger has engaged with stakeholders to address these issues as drought conditions persist.

In France, firefighters continue to battle a significant wildfire in the Var region, the largest in recent decades, which began on July 20 and has burned more than 60 square kilometers. While the fire is no longer spreading, dry conditions and strong winds maintain the risk of new outbreaks. Other parts of southeastern France remain on high alert for additional wildfires.

The heat wave has also peaked across the Balkans, with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius. Authorities in Serbia are contending with multiple forest fires exacerbated by dry weather, including notable blazes west of Belgrade and near the town of Kraljevo.

Scientists and officials cited the ongoing heat wave as an example of the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events driven by climate change. The widespread impacts on public health, energy infrastructure, and environmental safety are prompting governments and businesses across Europe to seek adaptive strategies to cope with intensified summers.