BUDAPEST, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Hungary ordered public-sector employees to work from home where possible from Monday as an intense heatwave gripped the country, prompting emergency measures including water-use restrictions, rail speed limits and health advisories.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced on Sunday that public-sector institutions would switch to remote work wherever operationally feasible and urged private employers to adopt similar arrangements. Authorities also advised postponing outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day to reduce health risks.
Hungary remains under a third-degree heat alert, the country's highest level, with temperatures forecast to reach between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius across much of the country in the coming days.
The national weather service HungaroMet said daily maximum temperature records for June 27 were broken on Saturday, with temperatures reaching 40.0 degrees Celsius in Budakalasz and 39.8 degrees Celsius in Budapest. Overnight minimum temperatures also set new daily records, highlighting the persistence of the extreme heat.
The prolonged heat has begun disrupting public services and infrastructure. Government officials said speed restrictions remained in effect on 25 railway lines because of the extreme temperatures, while burst water pipes temporarily interrupted supplies to hundreds of consumers in Balatonfured and the western city of Gyor.
Several municipalities have also imposed temporary restrictions on non-essential water use after soaring demand placed increasing pressure on local water networks. Residents in affected areas have been asked to refrain from watering gardens, filling swimming pools, washing vehicles and other non-essential water use during daytime hours.
Authorities said only three heat-related cases requiring medical treatment had been reported nationwide by Sunday evening, with no major public safety incidents.
Hungary is among several Central European countries affected by the heatwave, with Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic also reporting unusually high temperatures over the weekend as the extreme heat spread eastward across the continent. Relief is expected in Hungary by Wednesday or Thursday.
