Warnings of water shortages as heatwave reaches Germany
With temperatures expected to rise to over 35C in many parts of the country on Tuesday, regional officials are warning of the impact on water supplies.
Over the weekend southern Europe has been in the grip of an extreme heatwave, with wildfires rampaging through Portugal and Spain.
The hot air causing these intense temperatures is now arriving in Germany. On Monday, temperatures will rise to more than 30C in many areas and exceed 35C in large parts of the country on Tuesday.
The German Weather Service reported that western Germany will be particularly affected, with some areas even reaching 40C.
READ ALSO: '40C in some regions’: Heatwave set to return to Germany
In view of the extreme weather conditions, the doctors' association Marburger Bund is calling for a national heat protection plan and an awareness campaign.
Chairwoman Susanne Johna told Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND): "Politicians must significantly expand their efforts for protective measures during hot spells".
She said that cities and municipalities need heat protection plans so that senior citizen facilities or hospitals can better prepare for heatwaves.
The trade union Verdi is also calling for relief for employees. Norbert Reuter, head of the organisation's basic collective bargaining department, told RND: "In extreme heat, we naturally demand longer breaks or an earlier end to work - even if there is no legal entitlement to this."
Meanwhile, the German Association of Towns and Municipalities is warning of water shortages in some regions of Germany as a result of the extreme heat.
Chief Executive Gerd Landsberg told the Handelsblatt: "The drastically increasing demand for water in industry, agriculture, but also in private households is problematic".
READ ALSO: More floods, droughts and heatwaves: How climate change will impact Germany
They too are calling for heat action plans, both to protect people's health and to preserve water supplies.
"Private households should collect rainwater within their means", Landsberg said, while gardening water bans may also be necessary in individual cases.
Comments
See Also
Over the weekend southern Europe has been in the grip of an extreme heatwave, with wildfires rampaging through Portugal and Spain.
The hot air causing these intense temperatures is now arriving in Germany. On Monday, temperatures will rise to more than 30C in many areas and exceed 35C in large parts of the country on Tuesday.
The German Weather Service reported that western Germany will be particularly affected, with some areas even reaching 40C.
READ ALSO: '40C in some regions’: Heatwave set to return to Germany
In view of the extreme weather conditions, the doctors' association Marburger Bund is calling for a national heat protection plan and an awareness campaign.
Chairwoman Susanne Johna told Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND): "Politicians must significantly expand their efforts for protective measures during hot spells".
She said that cities and municipalities need heat protection plans so that senior citizen facilities or hospitals can better prepare for heatwaves.
The trade union Verdi is also calling for relief for employees. Norbert Reuter, head of the organisation's basic collective bargaining department, told RND: "In extreme heat, we naturally demand longer breaks or an earlier end to work - even if there is no legal entitlement to this."
Meanwhile, the German Association of Towns and Municipalities is warning of water shortages in some regions of Germany as a result of the extreme heat.
Chief Executive Gerd Landsberg told the Handelsblatt: "The drastically increasing demand for water in industry, agriculture, but also in private households is problematic".
READ ALSO: More floods, droughts and heatwaves: How climate change will impact Germany
They too are calling for heat action plans, both to protect people's health and to preserve water supplies.
"Private households should collect rainwater within their means", Landsberg said, while gardening water bans may also be necessary in individual cases.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.