Berlin, June 28 – As Germany grapples with its first heatwave of the year, reaching temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius, Berlin police have resorted to an unconventional method to provide relief: deploying water cannons. These vehicles, usually reserved for demonstrations, were used to spray water on the public in various city locations, aiming to cool down residents and tourists.
Unusual Tactic to Combat Soaring Temperatures
The decision to use water cannons, albeit with gentler jets, highlights the severity of the heatwave gripping the capital. The water-spraying vehicles toured prominent sites including the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, and the Reichstag building, drawing delight from those seeking respite from the oppressive heat.
Germany has been experiencing a prolonged period of high temperatures, with many areas seeing little to no night-time cooling. This sustained heat has made the situation particularly challenging for residents. According to provisional data from the German Weather Service (DWD), the night of June 27-28 was the warmest since records began. The highest overnight temperature was recorded in Kubschütz in eastern Saxony, where the mercury did not drop below 29.4 degrees Celsius.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Across Germany
Daytime temperatures have also soared, with a provisional high of 41.5 degrees Celsius measured at 4:20 PM on Saturday in Möckern-Drewitz in Saxony-Anhalt. The DWD anticipates Sunday, June 29, to be the peak of the heatwave, with extremely high temperatures ranging between 37 and 41 degrees Celsius. The forecast also includes the possibility of local heat-related thunderstorms, bringing torrential rain, hail, and severe gusts of wind during the day and into the night to Monday.
Anticipated Relief Next Week
A significant drop in temperatures is expected by the night of Monday, June 30, with lows projected to be between 19 and 23 degrees Celsius. The cooling trend will continue into Monday itself, with highs reaching only 27 to 31 degrees, accompanied by periods of rainfall and isolated thunderstorms. This change in weather patterns is expected to bring much-needed relief to the country.
The deployment of water cannons by Berlin police underscores the extreme measures being taken to manage the impact of the heatwave on public health and comfort. This unusual intervention reflects the growing challenges posed by increasingly frequent and intense heat events in urban environments.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/06/28/hottest-day-berlin-police-deploy-water-cannons-to-fight-extreme-heat
