Hungarian PM Péter Magyar orders emergency measures as historic heatwave hits the country

Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced a series of emergency actions as Hungary faces an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures above 29 °C for four consecutive days. The government issued a red heat alert, later upgraded to a third‑degree warning, and ordered home‑office for civil‑service staff on Monday and Tuesday to reduce exposure. A special decree was adopted to coordinate the response, with the Prime Minister personally overseeing a task‑force that includes defence, interior, health, transport, economic and security ministers.

Key initiatives include massive water distribution – free drinking water at major train stations and bus hubs, and the deployment of mobile water units – as well as the activation of climate‑controlled train cars on popular routes to the Balaton region. The health ministry, led by Zsolt Hegedűs, redirected 3.6 billion HUF to replace and upgrade cooling systems in 32 hospitals, starting with the Uzsoki Street Hospital where liquid chillers costing over 130 million HUF were installed. The ministry also prepared a new hospital‑infection monitoring system to launch on 1 September.

Energy Minister István Kapitány urged households to cut electricity use between 18:00 and 21:00, especially limiting air‑conditioner operation and postponing charging of devices. Transportation agencies warned of traffic jams on the M7 and other highways as travelers head to the Balaton, and MÁV announced free water stations and climate‑controlled cars to cope with the heat. The coordinated measures aim to protect public health, maintain essential services and minimise power‑grid strain during the extreme conditions.