Croatia heat wave drives 40°C temps, school start delay and water cuts

A severe heat wave is sweeping the Balkans. In Croatia's Dalmatia temperatures reached 39 °C, while the coastal city of Mostar recorded nearly 43 °C, prompting the Croatian State Hydrometeorological Service to issue a red warning and forecast continued extreme heat for at least ten more days.

Despite public calls to postpone the start of the school year because many classrooms lack air‑conditioning, the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth confirmed that the school calendar remains unchanged, with classes set to begin on 7 September.

In Serbia, the village of Mađare near Prokuplje has been without water since Tuesday after a major reservoir fault and soaring demand during the heat wave. Officials said the fault was repaired and water service should be restored later in the day.

A Saturday forecast for Croatia predicts mostly hot conditions, with daytime highs of 31‑38 °C along the coast, occasional thunderstorms, and locally strong bura winds.