Germany is facing exceptionally high temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius, especially in the west and southwest of the country.

The peak of the heat wave is expected in the middle of the week, and Wednesday could be the hottest day of the summer so far. While temperatures in most parts of the country are reaching between 30 and 34 degrees, the north and northeast are recording a somewhat more pleasant 27 degrees, writes Fenix Magazin.

These extreme temperatures have a significant impact on the health of residents. According to data from the German Ministry of Health, the number of sick leave days due to heat-related illnesses has increased significantly. In 2023, 92,700 sick leave days were recorded due to heatstroke, sunstroke, and exhaustion, which is 11,300 days more than during the record-hot summer of 2018. This represents an increase of about 12 percent.

This trend indicates a growing problem that extreme temperatures pose for workers and the healthcare system in Germany, emphasizing the need to adapt working conditions and preventive measures during heat waves.