Fourth heatwave scorches Calabria as Europe swelters

Europe's latest heatwave is pushing temperatures above 35C for at least 92 million people across France, Italy and Spain, according to AFP calculations cited by The Local Italy. For Calabria, the fourth heatwave of the summer brings familiar pressures on agriculture and water supplies, with citrus groves and bergamot orchards particularly vulnerable.

The heat compounds a summer that has already seen the Po River in northern Italy fall to historic lows, exposing dry riverbeds near Pavia and raising concerns over water supplies and farming across the country. While the Po's crisis is northern, The Local Italy reports that areas home to more than 90 million people, including much of Italy, are set for temperatures above 35C on Wednesday, with four regions under storm alerts as the heatwave drags on.

In Calabria, the region's agriculture—a cornerstone of the economy—faces dual threats from extreme heat and water scarcity. Citrus and bergamot, crops that define the region's identity and exports, require consistent irrigation that strained reservoirs may not provide.