Natural and man-made disasters periodically occur on our planet. These include hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and floods.
Many films have been made and books written about such events. However, one of the deadliest and most destructive disasters often goes unnoticed. Every time a deadly heatwave hits a corner of the world, both the government and citizens are unprepared. Despite historical experiences, the scenario repeats itself: billions of dollars in damages, but what is far more alarming is the tens of thousands of lives lost.
Abnormal Heat in Europe
Date: July 20 — August 20, 2003. Maximum Temperature: +48°C. Deaths: 72,000
The summer of 2003 was the hottest in Europe since the beginning of meteorological observations, at least since 1540. The most affected countries were Italy, France, Spain, and Germany, although the entire continent suffered to some extent. Regions hit by the abnormal heatwave lost 10% of their agricultural yield and 1% of GDP. For example, the water level in the Rhine River dropped so much that transport ships could only be loaded to a third or less of their capacity; otherwise, they couldn’t navigate the shallow waters. In Portugal, about 10% of forests burned down, and in Switzerland, the melting of alpine glaciers caused numerous avalanches and floods. As a result of the natural disaster, the highest number of deaths occurred in Italy (20,000) and France (19,000). Most of the victims were elderly people who were left alone. A representative of the French Red Cross placed equal responsibility for the tragedy on both the state and the citizens.
“The family structure in France is more fragmented than anywhere else in Europe. Thousands of our elderly died not from the heat itself, but from isolation and insufficient help. Becoming no one’s and everyone’s problem, they lived in such conditions day in and day out. Almost any crisis could have been fatal. And that is exactly what happened in the end.” — Stéphane Manson
North American Drought
Date: Summer of 1988. Maximum Temperature: +47°C. Deaths: 17,000
In 1988, the United States recorded a historic high temperature. The heat, which arrived in early May, persisted throughout the summer. The exceptionally low amount of precipitation triggered what became known as the Great Drought. Moreover, the situation repeated the following year, exacerbating the impact. The Southwestern states were ravaged by wildfires and dust storms, effectively paralyzing life in some cities. Businesses and government offices shut down, and there were rolling blackouts. The total damage amounted to $60 billion (over $150 billion in 2024 dollars), making the 1988 drought the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
Across much of the country, crops were entirely destroyed. Lawns in residential areas turned brown, and water usage restrictions were imposed in towns and cities. In September, residents of Texas celebrated the arrival of Hurricane Gilbert, which is also considered a natural disaster, but it brought relief from the months-long heat and drought. The weeks-long wildfires transformed the landscape in some areas, and several small rivers disappeared forever. Between 15,000 and 20,000 people died, along with an undetermined number of livestock, estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. This drought and its aftermath are comparable only to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, which was a major factor in the Great Depression.
Pakistan-India Heatwave
Date: June 2015. Maximum Temperature: +48.8°C. Deaths: 5,000
In late May 2015, a severe heatwave struck India, with some reports indicating temperatures reached as high as +50°C, although official records show slightly lower figures. Mortality rates spiked in major cities, and it’s likely that rural areas experienced similar conditions but received less attention. The elderly, particularly those forced to work outdoors, suffered the most. By mid-June, the heat subsided in India, shifting to neighboring Pakistan. The first casualties in Pakistan appeared on June 19th, but there are similar issues with statistical accuracy. Residents of remote rural areas may have faced the heat much earlier. Around 100,000 people were affected by the heatwave in various ways, including the loss of crops, livestock, and human lives, or suffering severe health complications.
Indian officials reported 3,500 deaths, while a month later, the Pakistani Health Minister announced 1,430 deaths. Given the political tensions between the two countries, it is plausible that both sides significantly underreported the death toll. Thus, the actual number of casualties might be several times higher than the official figures.
Unprecedented Heatwave in Greece
Date: July 20–27, 1987. Maximum Temperature: +45°C. Deaths: 5,000
During this week, Greece experienced an extreme heatwave, with temperatures not dropping below +32°C even at night. During the day, many sought relief at any available water source, including city fountains, rivers, and the sea. This mass “escape” from cities indirectly contributed to the high mortality rate. Young people took vacations and headed to the coast, leaving their elderly relatives trapped in their homes, vulnerable to the heat. At that time, not every family could afford air conditioning, and mobile phones did not exist. Consequently, many Greeks returned from vacation to find letters in their mailboxes with the message: “Urgently contact regarding a family matter.” Receiving such a letter meant that a relative had either died or was hospitalized.
The heat peaked on July 24–25, and the death toll rose exponentially. Morgues were soon overwhelmed, followed by the military hospitals’ refrigerated facilities. Grave diggers worked in three shifts. The government even began seizing ice from fishmongers at nearby markets to preserve the bodies, which were decomposing rapidly in the heat, spreading an unbearable odor.
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