Critical infrastructure failures lay bare the continent's vulnerability: 'Europe is becoming aware of its own fragility'

EU flags fly outside the Europa building in Brussels, Belgium. [Getty Images]
EU flags fly outside the Europa building in Brussels, Belgium. [Getty Images]

June's heat wave has exposed the unpreparedness of Europe's infrastructure.

Roads melted, rail lines buckled, nuclear plants shut down and hundreds of thousands of homes lost power — the scorching temperatures laid bare the limits of the systems that keep modern society running.

Germany, where temperatures surpassed 40 degrees Celsius in an unprecedented heat surge, took some of the hardest hits, particularly on the Autobahn, most of which has no speed limit.

Asphalt expanded and cracked in the heat, forcing closures on major highways including the A2 near Berlin, the A7 near Hamburg and the A93 in Bavaria, causing severe traffic jams. The A2, which links eastern and western Germany, was expected to remain closed at least through Sunday afternoon, according to the German news agency dpa.

German authorities urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and advised those who had to drive to carry sufficient drinking water and any regular medications in anticipation of lengthy traffic delays.

Train breakdowns and delays also multiplied.

In Belgium, two Eurostar trains connecting major Western European cities stalled mid-route on Friday due to power supply failures and other problems, inconveniencing hundreds of passengers. Several more Eurostar trains linking London and Paris were canceled that same evening.

The heat wave is straining Europe's rail network not only by warping tracks but also by increasing the risk of damage to rail switches and signaling systems after prolonged exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight.

In France and Switzerland, nuclear power plants temporarily suspended operations or reduced output after cooling water overheated, placing additional strain on power grids. In the Brittany region of France, some 70,000 households lost electricity.

Most schools across Europe lack air conditioning, forcing many to close temporarily or shorten class hours during the heat.

Britain's NASUWT teachers' union said classroom temperatures in some areas climbed to 40 degrees Celsius and that several of its members fainted during lessons. French teachers' unions criticized authorities for failing to prepare adequate heat measures and warned of possible strikes.

Union leaders at a French car factory also called for a strike, saying temperatures inside the plant had soared to unbearable levels, The New York Times reported.

Europe is the fastest-warming continent in the world, but most of its infrastructure and buildings were designed for a past climate, meaning extreme heat causes far greater disruption there than in other regions, The New York Times said.

Low air-conditioning penetration and the European building tradition of using heavy insulation for winter warmth — which turns interiors into ovens during heat waves — are among the key factors making the continent especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

France is particularly exposed. Many of its older buildings and apartment blocks have limited space for outdoor condenser units, and a significant number of neighborhoods are subject to heritage preservation rules that restrict exterior modifications. Environmental concerns about air conditioners' high electricity consumption and the heat they vent into the surrounding air have also slowed their adoption.

Francois Gemenne, a professor of environmental politics at HEC Paris, told The New York Times the heat wave had prompted soul-searching across the continent. "Everyone is asking, 'Why are we not prepared?'" he said. "Europe is becoming aware of its own vulnerability."

Western European countries including France, Belgium and the Netherlands saw the heat wave ease Sunday after powerful thunderstorms swept through in the early morning hours, sending temperatures tumbling back into the low 20s Celsius.


dingdong@heraldcorp.com