Why do European roads melt at 40°C while Indian roads survive at 45°C? Answer will leave you shocked

Social media is flooded with photos and videos of roads appearing to melt across parts of Europe as temperatures approach 40°C during the ongoing heatwave. The scenes have sparked widespread curiosity, especially in India, where roads regularly endure temperatures above 45°C during summer, yet such scenes are uncommon.

The reason is not poor construction but different engineering needs.

Why are roads melting in Europe?

Roads in Europe, especially in the UK, are built to withstand long, freezing winters. Engineers use softer types of bitumen in road construction so that roads remain flexible during extremely cold weather and do not crack when temperatures fall below zero.

But during unusual heatwaves, this softer material can become too soft. When temperatures rise close to or above 40°C, the road surface may deform or develop ruts under the weight of vehicles.

Why do Indian roads survive higher temperatures?

Indian roads are designed for a completely different climate challenge.

To deal with high temperatures, road builders in India use harder grades of bitumen such as VG-30 and VG-40, along with larger stone aggregates in the asphalt mix. These materials are better at maintaining their strength even during severe heatwaves.

The harder bitumen also helps roads handle heavy traffic without developing surface damage or depressions.

Climate decides road design

The difference between European and Indian roads shows how infrastructure is designed according to local weather conditions.

European roads are built to withstand freezing winters, while Indian roads are designed to endure scorching summers. As a result, temperatures that can damage roads in parts of Europe are often handled routinely by roads across India.

Read Also: Europe battles deadly heatwave as death toll crosses 1300; Wildfires, record temperature spreads across continent, WHO warns of…