Record heat has forced emergency water deliveries, curbs across hundreds of municipalities and reduced output at Paks, highlighting mounting pressure on Hungary’s public services and power grid.
Budapest recorded its highest temperature on record as an intense heat wave pushed temperatures across Hungary close to 42C (107.6F), local media reported Thursday, straining water supplies and electricity generation.
The temperature in the Hungarian capital reached 41.1C, exceeding the previous record of 41C (106F) set earlier this summer, according to TVP World.
Budakalasz, a town near Budapest, registered 41.4C, just below Hungary’s national record of 42C measured in Szecseny on June 30.
Hungary also experienced its warmest night on record, with temperatures on Janos Hill in Budapest falling to only 28C (82.4F).
The prolonged heat has increased pressure on the country’s water and energy systems, with restrictions on water use remaining in force in 629 municipalities. Thirteen are under the highest alert level.
The military has been deployed to deliver drinking water to areas facing the most severe shortages.
Environment Minister Laszlo Gajdos urged residents to continue cutting non-essential water use to safeguard household supplies. Nationwide water consumption has fallen by 9% in recent days, he said.
Record-low water levels in the Danube have also disrupted electricity generation at the Paks nuclear power plant, which normally provides around half of Hungary’s electricity.
The plant has been operating at slightly more than 10% of capacity because of the low river level.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar said Thursday that the Danube had risen by nine centimeters (3.5 inches) since reaching a low on Sunday, allowing one turbine to resume operations.
He cautioned, however, that there was still a “strong need” for households and businesses to voluntarily reduce electricity consumption while the heat wave continued.
Extreme temperatures have affected much of central and southern Europe.
Austria also set a national heat record this week, while Poland recorded an all-time high of 40.5C in Slubice on June 28.
