Fish could be next to suffer as rivers run low on air in Europe's record heat wave

BERLIN - The heat wave gripping large stretches of Europe has already been blamed for deadly forest fires and crop failures. Now freshwater fish could be its next victims.

Some regions in Germany sweltered as the mercury hit 39 C and the German Meteorological Office said the country's record of 40.3 C could be topped on Tuesday.

Rivers like the Rhine and the Elbe have soaked up so much heat that fish are beginning to suffocate.

"I'm expecting a tragedy as soon as next week," Philipp Sicher from the Swiss Fishery Association told German news agency dpa.

In Hamburg, authorities collected almost 5 metric tons of dead fish from ponds over the weekend, dpa reported. Firefighters have started pumping fresh water into some ponds and lakes in a bid to raise oxygen levels.

Scientists say the record heat seen in Europe but also North America and parts of Asia this year points to the influence of man-made climate change, and could become more common in future.

Several of Germany's nuclear power stations are reducing energy output because rivers used to cool the power plants are too warm.

The low water levels have also made shipping more difficult, with a complete ban imposed on boats on the Oder river in eastern Germany.

Financial aid

Meanwhile, the country's Farmer's Association is asking the government for 1 billion euros ($1.17 billion) in financial aid to help cover losses from this year's poor harvest. A group representing potato farmers said they're expecting harvests to be 25 percent smaller than last year and warned that the losses may lead not only to more expensive but also shorter french fries because the potatoes are so small this year.

The oceans, too, have been affected. Authorities in Poland last week banned swimming at over 50 beaches along its Baltic coast, after hot weather led to the growth of toxic bacteria in the unusually warm sea.

Police dogs in the Swiss city of Zurich have been getting special shoes to prevent them from burning their paws on the scorching streets. Swiss authorities have also canceled traditional fireworks displays in some areas during Wednesday's national holiday celebrations, citing the high risk of forest fires.

Across Europe, such blazes have already caused major damage. Earlier this month, 92 people died in Greece in the deadliest wildfire in recent history.

Temperatures of up to 45 C are forecast on the Iberian peninsula from Wednesday and authorities are preparing for the mercury to climb even higher through Sunday, increasing the risk of emergencies.

On the other side of the continent, Banak peninsula in northern Norway reported temperatures Monday of 32 C highly unusual for the Arctic Circle.

But some are benefiting from the simmering heat.

Beer brewers in Germany have seen sales rise by 0.6 percent, or 300,000 hectoliters, in the first half of 2018 compared to the same period last year.

Associated Press

(China Daily 08/02/2018 page11)