Death toll rises along with mercury in Europe

A searing heatwave claimed more lives in Europe and high temperatures were forecast to continue until storms bring relief to some areas late this week.

The low level and temperature of the water in the river led nuclear power generators along the banks of the Elbe to cut output.

High water temperatures have also disrupted electricity production at nuclear power stations in France and Spain. Water is used as a cooling agent at the plants but the temperature of discharged water must be within environmental norms.

“We are adjusting our output on a constant basis according to the temperature of the water,” a spokesman for the Vattenfall electricity company in Germany said.

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Poland halted exports of electricity because of water shortages resulting from the heatwave, energy officials said.

Sidney Morning Herald