Kathmandu— Following a June and July marked by unprecedented heat and wildfires, much of Europe is preparing for another intense heatwave this week, with forecasts predicting temperatures reaching the mid-30s Celsius (mid-90s Fahrenheit) in parts of Britain and France. The ongoing drought conditions are exacerbating challenges for agriculture, inland shipping, and firefighting efforts across the continent, leading to water restrictions and evacuations. This latest wave comes as Europe experiences its fastest rate of warming globally, raising concerns about long-term environmental impacts.

Widespread Drought Conditions

Water-use restrictions are now in effect across large portions of both Britain and France. In Britain, over 27 million people are living under hosepipe bans as the country faces its fifth consecutive heatwave this year, with irrigation restrictions also imposed on farmers. The British Environment Agency noted the toll the hot and dry weather is taking on farming and the environment. Meanwhile, French authorities report that 70 percent of the country is subject to water-use limitations, impacting activities from gardening to crop irrigation.

Wildfires Rage Across Southern Europe

Spain recorded its joint-hottest July since records began in 1961, and experienced its driest July on record with just 4.3 millimeters of rain – only 26 percent of the typical precipitation for this time of year. These parched conditions are fueling wildfires in Greece and Spain, particularly in Andalusia where nearly 500 people have been evacuated from areas around the town of Niebla. Antonio Sanz, Andalusia’s emergencies chief, described firefighting efforts as a “long-distance obstacle race” expected to last several days.

Rhine River Faces Navigation Issues

Low water levels on the Rhine river in Germany are threatening commercial shipping, according to inland shipping group BDB. Managing director Jens Schwanen warned that vessels will soon be unable to navigate parts of the river due to soaring temperatures and low rainfall. “With water levels this low, commercial shipping will no longer be able to transport goods in the region,” he said, adding that the Rhine is effectively divided into two sections.

A Continent Warming Rapidly

Europe is currently warming at a faster rate than any other continent on Earth, driven by climate change. In addition to Britain, France, Spain and Germany, soaring temperatures are also forecast in Switzerland, Austria and Hungary. The repeated heatwaves and prolonged drought conditions highlight the increasing vulnerability of European ecosystems and infrastructure.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge citizens to conserve water and take precautions against the extreme heat as the continent braces for another challenging week.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.