Record heat has caused water shortages in Greece and numerous fires in North Macedonia. The heat wave continues in Serbia, which last night was hit by a strong storm accompanied by thunder.
Water shortages plague Greece
After the warmest winter and the earliest heat wave in Greece, authorities are warning of the risk of severe water shortages at the height of the Mediterranean summer.
There have been calls for citizens to reduce water consumption.
In early July, the water level in the Mornos Reservoir, about 200 km west of Athens, which is the main water source for the Attica region around the capital, was 30% lower than the same period last year.
And total supplies for Attica fell by almost a quarter over the same period, according to data from water utility EYDAP.
The region of 3.7 million people, home to more than a third of Greece's population, was recently put on "yellow alert" by EYDAP, which urged people to reduce consumption to keep reserves at a sustainable level.
On the Greek islands, which usually rely on wells and water desalination plants, the problem is even more acute.
Additional pressure is exerted by the millions of tourists who flock to the country's beaches every summer and increase the number of the local population.
Experts say that, due to tourism, the demand for water increases 100 times during the summer season compared to winter.
At the end of June, a one-month state of emergency was declared for the island of Leros in the Dodecanese.
The island's council noted malfunctions in the water desalination plant, blaming it on "poor maintenance in the past".
Other islands at risk of water shortages are Sifnos in the Cyclades, Chios in the northern Aegean and Lefkada and Corfu in the Ionian.
Water shortages are being exacerbated by intense heat, which scientists say is at least partly the result of human-induced climate change.
The mildest Greek winter on record has been followed by higher average temperatures this spring.
Last month, the country's earliest heat wave led to the hottest June since 1960, with temperatures reaching 43°C in many parts of the country.
The heat has also caused an increase in the number of wildfires, with more than 1,000 recorded last month, more than double the number in the same month last year, authorities said.
Multiple fires are raging in North Macedonia
On July 14, the government of North Macedonia was forced to declare a state of emergency after 7 fires broke out in the country.
According to the state crisis management center (CMC), the fires are spreading mainly in the central and eastern parts of the country in the conditions of a debilitating heat wave.
Despite the efforts of the firefighters, more than 100 hectares of forest have burned.
A state of crisis is declared when the population and property are faced with serious risks or dangers, which requires the infusion of significant government resources.
The government also approved the involvement of the police and the army in fighting the fires, as well as the training of medical personnel.
About 100 servicemen and two army helicopters were involved in extinguishing the fire near the southern town of Negotino, the Ministry of Defense said.
In the afternoon hours of July 14, the fire entered Bulgarian territory
The Southwestern State Enterprise (SWSE) announced that the Macedonian fire has entered Mount Ograzhden.
A specialized vehicle from Sandanski and forest officials from Strumyani were sent to put it out.
Two of the foci of the fire in Osogovo, north of the Güeshevo border crossing, have resumed, the SWSE press center added.
In the late hours of July 14, information arrived that the fire was contained on the Bulgarian side, thanks to the joint efforts of forest officials, firefighters, employees and equipment of the Municipality of Petrich and volunteers.
As of July 15, there are 9 active fires on the territory of North Macedonia, and 17 others have been extinguished, the CMC reported.
The fires are active in the municipality of Novo Selo, above the village of Badilen, where a pine forest is affected, and in the municipality of Chashka, near the villages of Drenovo and Dolno Yablchishte, where a mixed forest is affected.
There are also active fires in the municipality of Dolni Dabnik, in the village of Tsarnilishte (low-stemmed vegetation), near the villages of Slepche and Gostopriemni forests, low and dry vegetation (grass and low-stemmed forest) and in the municipality of Gevgelia, between the villages of Negortsi and Kovanets, where oak is burning, spruce, fir and dry grass.
The Turkish ambassador in Skopje, Fatih Ulusoy, said that his country has sent two planes and one helicopter to the North Macedonia, which are already involved in extinguishing the fires.
A strong storm accompanied by thunder struck parts of Serbia
A heavy storm with heavy rain, thunder and strong winds affected the Serbian district of Zlatibor, the surroundings of Baina Bašta, Požega and Košerić this evening.
The strong thunderstorm, which affected the southern part of Zlatibor District, will slowly move northeast to Moravica District, RTS reported.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected in Šumadija and the wider Belgrade area this evening.
Despite the storm, the heat wave in Serbia continues. July 16 will be mostly sunny in most places. The daytime high is expected to reach the 40s
The red weather alert is still in effect. The highest daily temperature up to 40 °C. | BGNES
