Hailstones the size of golf balls have been reported in French villages as thunderstorms swept across parts of Europe, coinciding with an exceptional heatwave. While thunderstorms are typical during intense heat, the storms in countries including France, Germany and Poland have been particularly severe, causing flooding, strong winds and heavy showers with large hail.
In southeastern France, residents reported hailstones with diameters between 5cm and 7cm on Wednesday, around the towns of Aubenas, Vals-les-Bains and Lalevade-d'Ardèche. Streets were covered with a visible layer of hail, damaging vehicle windscreens, several buildings and vineyards.
Localised Flooding and Power Outages
Torrential rainfall and strong winds have led to localised flooding in France and Poland. In Wrocław, southwestern Poland, roads and tram tracks were closed due to flooding, and strong winds blew trees onto tram cables. Residents were advised to remain indoors and prepare for power outages. Storms were expected to bring 30-50mm of rain to France, with potentially more in some areas.
Deadly Monsoon Rains in Bangladesh
In Asia, heavy rainfall and flooding associated with the monsoon in Bangladesh have killed at least 53 people. In the capital, Dhaka, and surrounding areas, it has been raining for more than a week, with severe warnings for flooding and landslides. A landslide covered a school in mud and debris, killing several schoolgirls and their teacher last week.
The Cox's Bazar refugee settlement was one of the worst-affected areas, prompting evacuations. The Chattogram district recorded 412.3mm of rain in 24 hours, the highest single-day July rainfall in the past 42 years. About one million people have been affected, with thousands living in government shelters. Knee-deep flooding caused travel disruption, power outages and slower emergency service response times.
Bangladesh is prone to monsoon flooding due to its low-lying geography and multiple rivers, increasing flood risk. Further intense downpours and prolonged rainfall are forecast, bringing additional risks for flash flooding and landslides.
