BALKANS:As northern England mops up after floods killed at least four people, southern Europe and the Balkans are sweltering in a heatwave that has claimed dozens of lives, melted roads and rails, crippled power grids and continues to threaten wildlife and crops.
About a week of fierce heat has killed at least 30 people in Romania, seven in Greece, six in Italy and several others in Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Turkey and Albania.
Most of the victims have succumbed to heat stroke or heart problems brought on by temperatures well above 40 degrees, while some have died in violent storms or drowned trying to cool off in lakes and ponds.
The Greek capital of Athens sweltered at more than 46 degrees this week, and the national electricity provider struggled to cope with record demand as millions of people switched on fans and air conditioners.
Greece and Romania suffered several power cuts in recent days, and the latter has banned trucks from travelling during the heat of the day on roads whose surface is melting.
In neighbouring Bulgaria, council workers are spraying water on tram rails to stop them buckling, and trains are moving at reduced speed on tracks that are in danger of giving way.
Farmers from Italy to Turkey expect to harvest some fruit a month earlier than usual this year, following a mild winter, warm spring and the current heatwave. Meanwhile, Ukraine has placed limits on grain exports after severe drought devastated crops.
Wildlife is also suffering as increased demand for scarce water has drained rivers and reservoirs, reducing numbers of fish, frogs, toads and insects that provide vital food for countless bird species. Furthermore, the danger of forest fires is also high across many regions.
