For more on climate change visit: www.downtoearth.org.in
The death toll in Turkey and Greece continue to rise after 6 days of incessant wildfires. In Turkey, the fires were fuelled by a southern European heatwave and exacerbated by hot air from North Africa. Residents have lost properties and farm animals. Tourists are cutting their stay short and fleeing from regions like Antalya, Mugla and Tunceli. Support teams from Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Azerbaijan, Croatia and Spain are likely to arrive soon with planes. Greece is suffering its worst heat wave since 1987.Temperatures are likely to reach 45 degree celsius in the next few days.The fires have destroyed more than 7,400 acres of pine and olive groves since July 31. Dozens have been hospitalised due to breathing problems and several villages near Athens have been evacuated. In Italy, Catania airport was shut down after 800 fires were quelled by the fire brigade and forced many people to leave homes. In Finland, 300 hectares were ravaged earlier this month in a northwestern valley, 500 kms from Helsinki.Wildfires have been linked with extreme temperatures, droughts and high wind speeds all of which point towards climate change.
