Heat wave in Potsdam: record temperatures and more than 100 injured!

Heat wave in Potsdam: record temperatures and more than 100 injured!

In Potsdam the heat is obvious. On Wednesday, the highest temperature of 2025 was recorded at 38.8 degrees, just a touch below the record of 38.9 degrees set in 2022, according to reports Daily Mirror. The German Weather Service warns not only of extreme heat, but also of increased UV intensity, which poses additional risks, especially when spending time outdoors. Against this background, the state parliament's health committee discussed the heat protection measures in the air-conditioned city palace.

In view of these climatic challenges, Brandenburg is planning a comprehensive heat action plan by 2027, which is primarily aimed at protecting vulnerable groups from health consequences. This initiative is part of the country's climate adaptation strategy. A report prepared on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Climate Protection outlines 41 specific measures, divided into different phases, from acute to long-term measures. The first steps include, among other things, heat protection in outpatient care and setting up a heat telephone, explained Brandenburg.de.

Health risks from heat

The health risks caused by heat should not be underestimated. According to statistical surveys, 99 people died in Brandenburg in 2022 due to heat effects. Population groups that are particularly at risk are older or have previous health problems. A report developed over four workshops highlights the challenges and offers solutions to minimize the negative effects of heat. What is particularly exciting is that these measures are not only intended for the state, but also for the local levels.

The increase in heat waves since the 1970s is alarming. The European Environment Agency predicts that extreme summers will become increasingly likely in the coming years, similar to what happened in 2003, 2018, 2019 and 2022. Therefore, heat action plans, which were already considered necessary in the second action plan to adapt the German strategy from 2015, are more in demand than ever, reports the Federal Environment Agency.

Prevention measures and urban challenges

In Potsdam, no special program for homeless people is being implemented as part of heat protection. Instead, the city relies on low-threshold offers to support these vulnerable groups in particularly hot periods. In several districts, water extraction from surface water bodies also had to be restricted. It was also reported that the New Garden in Potsdam was closed to visitors due to falling branches and the associated danger to life. Despite the warnings, around 150 people chose to ignore the ban and had to be removed by police.

There were several forest fires in the forests of Brandenburg, which presented the fire departments with enormous challenges. It was particularly tragic that two firefighters were seriously injured during a firefighting operation in Gohrischheide. Interior Minister René Wilke also highlighted that politically motivated crime in schools is increasing and reported a 28 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Brandenburg in 2023.

In order to be better prepared to face these challenges, the exchange between the federal, state and local governments is more important than ever. The focus should be primarily on the legal anchoring of health protection before and during heat periods in order to be able to act not only preventively but also reactively in the population.