Hungary and Slovakia issue third‑level heat alerts as extreme temperatures strain health services and utilities

Hungary’s national health authority extended the second‑level heat alert to June 26 and raised it to a third‑level alert for the whole country from June 27 to June 30. The red‑code emergency measure for extreme heat was also prolonged by a week. Officials warned that children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with cardiovascular disease are at greatest risk and urged frequent fluid intake, shade and avoidance of the hottest hours.

Slovakia’s meteorological service declared second‑level orange alerts for most of the country and a third‑level red alert for several districts, with temperatures expected to reach or exceed 35 °C.

The prolonged heatwave has driven a surge in water consumption, lowering water pressure in towns such as Dömsöd and Szigetbecse and depleting two large reservoir tanks in Zala County, prompting calls for water‑saving measures.

Agricultural officials warned that the dry, hot conditions increase the risk of farm fires; a grain field burned near Nagypaka and Lég was quickly extinguished by volunteer firefighters. Farmers were advised to avoid field burning, keep machinery clean and carry fire extinguishers.

On Lake Balaton, water‑rescue teams saved ten people after strong winds and thunderstorms caused several water‑sport incidents.

Because high temperatures also stress heavy‑vehicle engines and drivers, the Ministry of Transport adjusted the weekend truck‑stop rules, allowing trucks over 7.5 t to travel between 22:00 Saturday and 06:00 Sunday.