Europe is once again gripped by a heatwave, with extreme temperatures forecast to reach mid-30s Celsius (mid-90 degrees Fahrenheit) in Britain and France this week. The prolonged hot and dry weather has taken a toll on farming, the environment, and public health across the continent. In response, the British government has imposed irrigation restrictions on farmers and introduced a hosepipe ban in some regions, affecting more than 27 million people living under water-use restrictions. Similarly, France has applied water-use restrictions to 70 percent of the country due to worsening drought conditions. Spain recorded its joint-hottest July since records began in 1961, with scorching temperatures contributing to the country's biggest wildfire in recent history. Last month was also mainland Spain's driest July on record, leading to parched conditions that are fueling wildfires in Greece and Spain. In Andalusia, firefighters are struggling to extinguish blazes, with nearly 500 people evacuated from the area. The low water levels in the Rhine river in Germany threaten commercial shipping, potentially dividing the waterway into two. Europe is the fastest-warming continent on the planet due to climate change, and soaring temperatures are also forecast in Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary. The heatwave and drought have raised concerns about long-lasting impacts on the continent's agriculture, wildlife, and public health.