Europe heatwave bites: Rivers dry, roads crack & records fall

1. Drought fears grow as Italy’s Po River dries up
2. Roads buckled, rail services hit in Germany
3. Denmark and Slovakia set new temp records
4. In Switzerland, rapid glacier melt alarms experts

A relentless heatwave sweeping across Europe is triggering drought fears, transport disruptions and record-breaking temperatures across several countries. In Italy, the Po River, the country's longest river, has fallen to its lowest level for this time of year, raising concerns of a severe drought in July. Seawater is seeping into the river as water levels plunge, threatening farmland in the Po Valley, a major agricultural region that produces milk for Parmesan cheese. Farmers say irrigation canals are being shut to prevent saltwater intrusion, leaving crops under stress. The river's flow has dropped below 300 cubic metres per second from the June average of about 1,500, according to the interregional river agency Aipo.

In Germany, extreme heat damaged sections of 11 motorways as concrete expanded and cracked, while rail operators cancelled services and advised against non-essential travel. Preliminary data showed temperatures touched 41.3C, surpassing the previous national record of 41.2C set in July 2019.

Denmark registered its hottest day since records began in 1874, with temperatures reaching 36.6C, while Slovakia recorded its warmest night on record as temperatures did not fall below 26.3C.

Swiss glacier experts warned that the winter snow cover on the country's glaciers could disappear by Monday, marking the second-earliest glacier loss day on record. Scientists said glaciers are melting at rates normally seen three months later in the year.

UK storms delay over 700 flights 

In the UK, thunderstorms following the intense heat disrupted air travel, delaying more than 700 flights at Heathrow and Gatwick airports and forcing dozens of cancellations.

Louis Vuitton faces backlash 

Louis Vuitton has drawn criticism for installing an eight-metre artificial waterfall for its Paris Fashion Week show as France grappled with a record heatwave. Residents and politicians questioned the display's optics and use of public space. LVMH said the water was recycled through a closed-loop system with no wastage.

—FPJ World Desk