Rain inundates homes, shops in Rawalpindi

Thousands of residents have been allowed to return to their homes after authorities eased evacuation orders in several parts of Spain affected by devastating wildfires. However, officials are warning that a new heatwave expected to hit the country could reignite existing fires and create fresh emergencies as firefighters continue battling dangerous conditions. Restrictions have been lifted in areas across Toledo, Madrid, Ávila and Castellón, allowing many displaced families to go back home after days of uncertainty. In the Madrid region alone, around 24,000 people have been permitted to return, while lockdown measures affecting another 20,000 residents have also been removed. Despite the progress, several fires remain active. One of the biggest concerns is the wildfire near Burgohondo, about 150 kilometers west of Madrid, which has already burned more than 43,000 hectares of land. Authorities say it is now considered the largest wildfire ever recorded in Spain. Across the country, more than 207,000 hectares have been destroyed by wildfires so far this year. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the coming hours would be critical as firefighters work to bring the remaining blazes under control. He noted that conditions had improved but warned that rising temperatures, low humidity and strong winds could quickly reverse the progress made in recent days. Emergency crews remain on high alert as Spain prepares for its fourth major heatwave of the summer. Fire officials said the Burgohondo blaze had not spread overnight, but they remain concerned that extreme weather could cause new flare ups. Firefighters are focusing on securing a perimeter stretching about 180 kilometers to prevent the flames from spreading into nearby communities and forests. Among those returning home are residents of the towns of Navas del Rey and Chapinería, who had been evacuated earlier in the week. Many families have found damaged homes, destroyed property and lost livelihoods. Chapinería Mayor Lucía Moya said the community faces a long recovery, with many residents needing support to rebuild their lives after the disaster. Some evacuees are still unable to return. Around 300 people displaced from the nearby Tiétar Valley continue to stay in temporary accommodation provided by local authorities. Officials have pledged to maintain support services until it is safe for everyone to go home. While no deaths have been reported in the fires near Madrid or Castellón, authorities confirmed that a woman injured in an earlier wildfire in Almería has died in hospital. The Almería fires, which occurred earlier this month, claimed the lives of 14 people, including citizens of the United Kingdom, Belgium, the United States, France and Spain. Wildfires are also creating challenges elsewhere in Europe. In neighboring France, firefighters continue to monitor large blazes in the Gironde region, where several flare ups have occurred despite efforts to stabilize the fires. Authorities have warned that temperatures could reach 41 degrees Celsius, with dry winds increasing the risk of further outbreaks. Special protection measures have also been introduced around defense and aerospace facilities located in the affected area. Portugal and Greece are facing similar threats. Emergency crews in northern Portugal are working to contain an active wildfire near Valpaços while protecting nearby infrastructure, including a water treatment plant and a gas storage facility. In Greece, firefighters are responding to blazes on the island of Paros and in the southern mainland region of Trifylia. Scientists continue to warn that climate change is contributing to longer and more intense heatwaves across Europe. Rising temperatures, prolonged dry conditions and stronger winds have increased the frequency and severity of wildfires, making firefighting operations more difficult and placing greater pressure on communities across the continent. Authorities are urging residents in high risk areas to remain cautious as extreme weather conditions are expected to continue in the coming days.

Two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air west of Athens while tackling a major wildfire, killing a Greek and a Danish pilot aboard one of the aircraft. The two crew members on the second helicopter survived and were rescued, while the destroyed aircraft had been leased from Australia’s McDermott Aviation to support Greek operations. The tragic crash occurred as high winds whipped up severe blazes across the region, destroying more than 100 homes overnight in the coastal village of Porto Germeno. More than 500 firefighters remain deployed to combat the active flames despite extreme weather conditions hampering aerial firefighting efforts.

Spain has resumed border checks on travellers arriving from Italy amid a growing disagreement between the two European countries over irregular migration. Spanish authorities inspected around 200 passengers on the first day of the measures, which were introduced at the country’s six busiest airports. The Interior Ministry said 199 people arriving on 12 flights from Italy were checked at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante and Valencia. The temporary controls began on Saturday and are scheduled to remain in place until September 7. The move follows Italy’s decision to introduce its own checks on travellers arriving from Spain. Rome suspended the usual Schengen arrangements with Spain from August 1, saying the decision was linked to concerns over a sharp increase in irregular migration. Italian authorities said their measures would remain in place at least until August 15. The dispute intensified after around 72,000 migrants reportedly reached Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta on July 30, prompting renewed concerns over migration pressures and border security. Italy has stressed that its checks are targeted rather than a blanket restriction on European travellers. Officials said Spanish and other European Union citizens would not be affected by the measures, which focus mainly on non-EU nationals travelling from Spain by air or sea. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Rome hoped to remove the restrictions as soon as the perceived security risk had eased. The latest developments have raised concerns about tensions within the European Union’s passport-free travel system. The Schengen Area allows people to move across 29 European countries without routine internal border checks, although individual member states can temporarily restore controls in response to security threats, public-order concerns or exceptional circumstances.