Root causes per the article - global warming and mass urbanization. I would say without mass urbanization, global warming would be less of a factor.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...ing-heat-wave-continues/ar-BBtopkM?li=BBnbfcL
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...ing-heat-wave-continues/ar-BBtopkM?li=BBnbfcL