Europe is facing a dramatic weather turn. A powerful thunderstorm has swept across parts of the continent during a record-breaking heatwave. Millions of people are now on alert.
The storms hit hard in France, Germany, and Poland. They brought flooding, fierce winds, and heavy rain. In many places, huge hailstones fell from the sky.
Giant Hail Batters French Towns
In south-east France, the hail was truly shocking. Residents shared photos of hailstones the size of golf balls. Some measured between 5cm and 7cm across.
The towns of Aubenas, Vals-les-Bains, and Lalevade-d’Ardèche saw the worst of it. Streets turned white under thick layers of ice. The hail smashed car windscreens and damaged buildings. Local vineyards also took a heavy hit.
Thunderstorms often follow periods of extreme heat. But these storms were unusually severe. They caught many people off guard.
Flooding Closes Streets in Poland
Poland faced serious flooding too. In the city of Wrocław, roads and tram tracks shut down. Strong winds knocked trees onto tram cables.
Officials urged residents to stay indoors. They warned people to prepare for power outages. Emergency crews worked quickly to clear the damage.
Forecasters expected 30–50mm of rain to fall across France. Some local areas could see even more. Each thunderstorm added to the growing risk of flash floods.
Deadly Monsoon Floods in Bangladesh
Across in Asia, the picture looks grim. Heavy monsoon rain has killed at least 53 people in Bangladesh. The disaster continues to unfold.
The capital, Dhaka, has seen more than a week of rain. Officials issued warnings for flooding and landslides. One landslide buried a school in mud, killing several schoolgirls and their teacher.
The Cox’s Bazar refugee settlement was among the worst-hit areas. Authorities evacuated residents to safer ground. In the Chattogram district, 412.3mm of rain fell in just 24 hours. That is the highest single-day July rainfall in 42 years.
About one million people have been affected. Thousands now live in government shelters. Knee-deep water slowed traffic, cut power, and delayed emergency help.
Bangladesh floods easily during the monsoon. The country sits low and has many rivers. More intense rain is forecast, raising the danger of flash floods and landslides.
Stay tuned for updates as these weather events develop.
Met Office predicts nationwide rainfall, windstorm as monsoon currents enter Pakistan
