Here's how extreme weather is damaging infrastructure

Extreme heat can cause bridges to expand, sometimes with serious consequences. In the Netherlands, officials took preemptive action to cool a drawbridge ahead of tropical temperatures, aiming to prevent mechanical failures. Drawbridges are particularly vulnerable to breaking down in extreme heat, as their movable parts can expand — cutting off vital river crossings.

Floodwaters submerge a bridge in China's Guangxi province, underscoring the toll of extreme weather. Flooding threatens key infrastructure like bridges, sewage systems and hospitals. In the last five years, losses from flooding globally amounted to $325 billion (€282 billion). Solutions include using flood-resistant materials and installing protective barriers to better withstand deluges.

Heat waves are warping railways. Tracks exposed to direct sunlight can be up to 20 degrees Celsius (36 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than the surrounding air temperature, according to Network Rail, which manages most of Britain's rail network. The intense heat can cause steel rails to buckle and bend. One low-tech fix: painting tracks white to reflect sunlight and keep them cooler.

To reduce the risk of buckling, railways use longer, welded rails that expand more evenly in the heat. Shorter rails are bolted with small gaps to allow for expansion. Some tracks are laid on reinforced concrete slabs for added stability. In South Korea (pictured), rails are sprayed with water to keep them cool.

Pavement on standard asphalt roads can warp or deform under high temperatures. Even a sunny day above 20 degrees Celsius can push ground temperatures to 50 degrees Celsius, says the UK's Road Surface Treatments Association. Solutions include heat-reflective coatings and "cool pavements" that absorb less solar energy and are permeable to reduce flood damage.

In Spain's Mediano reservoir, the ruins of a submerged church fully reemerge as water levels drop. When rainfall is scarce, reservoirs don't refill. The consequences ripple far beyond water supply. More than 300 million tons of goods move between Switzerland and the North Sea via the Rhine, one of Europe's key trade arteries. But lack of rainfall and low water levels can disrupt their transport.

A landslide in India's Mumbai region damaged homes after heavy rainfall weakened the soil. Short but intense downpours are becoming more frequent with climate change and can trigger landslides that threaten roads, railways and buildings. The risk is rising, especially in humid tropical and coastal areas. Planting trees, and better building techniques help to reduce the risk.