Heat wave rolls on: German cities cut water consumption massively!

Heat wave rolls on: German cities cut water consumption massively!

Spree-Neiße-Kreis, Deutschland - The heat wave has a firm grip on Germany and ensures extraordinary temperatures, especially in the south and southwest of the country. Forecasts of the German Weather Service indicate that temperatures of up to 35 degrees in the south, around 30 degrees in the northern center and 33 degrees are expected in Hamburg on Monday. From Tuesday, the values in the West could even rise to 37 degrees, which means extreme heat load for some regions. According to the information from yahoo news there will be hardly any nightly cooling.

In response to the continuing drought, numerous cities and regions have already restricted water consumption. In Baden-Württemberg, for example, there are strict rules for water withdrawal from rivers and lakes in the Biberach, Ravensburg, Alb-Donau district and Lake Constance district until mid-July. The ban also includes smaller streams because the drought endangers water ecology - a situation that damages fish, small creatures and aquatic plants. In the event of violations, juicy fines of up to 10,000 euros threaten.

water shortage in several regions

Unfortunately, the restrictions are not limited to Baden-Württemberg. In North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg, too, residents have to prepare for water restricted. The water withdrawal in the regions such as the Rhein-Sieg district and the Rheinisch-Bergisches Kreis is prohibited. Restrictions on the use of above -ground waters also apply in eight counties of Brandenburg. Like bpb.de , even the drinking water supply is in some municipalities, as in the Taunus, before the collapse.

This heat is not an isolated phenomenon, as has become apparent in the past. Germany always had to deal with extreme weather conditions. July 15, 2022, was the hottest day of the year at 38.8 degrees in Erlangen, and in 2022 the warmest year has been considered since the beginning of the records. Nine of the ten warmest years occurred in the 21st century, which creates alarming conditions for the environment. The previous drought years 2018 to 2020 have shaped the image of forest fires, which already led to 2,397 fires in 2022, mainly in Saxony and Brandenburg.

meaning of climate change

These developments are closely linked to climate change, which has risen by 1.7 degrees in Germany since 1881 - a number that is above the global average. It is essential that the population is warned of the consequences of such extreme weather events. The German Association of Cities and Towns therefore calls for early indications of the shortage of water, a requirement that is becoming increasingly pressing.

A look across the borders shows that dramatic records have already been achieved in other parts of Europe such as France and Spain. In France, the second highest warning level applies, while a new Juni temperature record of 46 degrees was measured in the Spanish El Granado. According to correction , it is above all vulnerable groups such as older people and people with previous illnesses, especially under these conditions suffer.

The coming weeks do not promise any relief, and experts warn that climate change will continue to increase extreme weather events like this. It is therefore advisable to pay attention to sufficient fluid intake and to avoid physical exertion in the heat.