Uzbekistan’s authorities have slowed metro trains, restricted truck movement, and closed kindergartens amid extreme heat that has reached 48°C in parts of the country. The intense heatwave disrupted daily life, with state and city services acting urgently to protect the population as temperatures across much of the territory ranged from 42°C to 45°C.
In the southern and desert regions, temperatures climbed to 46°C–48°C, putting additional strain on emergency services. Fire and rescue teams have been on 24-hour duty at markets, shopping centers, and other crowded places to prevent fires. In residential areas, emergency services are using fire trucks to spray water on children during the hottest hours of the day.
Safety measures and service operations
Murat Sadikov, head of the information service for the State Emergency Service, said the agency has been cooling children in residential areas with special equipment for several days. He noted this helps children cope better with peak summer heat and lifts their mood. The State Emergency Service has also intensified its information campaign, urging citizens to drink more water and wear light cotton clothing, preferably white.
Tashkent authorities have increased watering of central and main streets, trees, and lawns. Fountains in the capital are operating continuously to reduce the heat impact in public spaces. Residents and visitors said such a temperature spike is highly unusual for Uzbekistan at this time of year.
A visitor to a textile exhibition from Bishkek, Altyn Bakieva, told Euronews that temperatures in Uzbekistan are several degrees higher than in neighboring Kyrgyzstan, and the difference is noticeable. Bakieva said she must travel by air-conditioned taxi and rely on cold water. A Tashkent resident, Odinakhon Akramova, added that her family has adjusted their diet: they mainly consume fruit, chilled watermelons, and melons, reducing hot meals.
Transport and education restrictions
Transport operators have taken measures to protect infrastructure. In Tashkent, train speeds on above-ground metro sections have been reduced from 60 km/h to 40 km/h. Tashkent Metro explained that the restriction is in place daily until 18:00, as rail temperatures on viaducts exceeded the critical 55°C mark.
In the Surxondaryo region, the movement of heavy trucks has been restricted from 10:00 to 19:00. Local authorities say road surfaces can heat up to 70°C–80°C, weakening the pavement and increasing the risk of damage from trucks. The Ministry of Preschool and School Education has temporarily closed kindergartens in Nukus and eight districts of Karakalpakstan. Similar measures have been taken in the Khorezm and Navoi regions. The extreme conditions are expected to ease gradually by the end of the week.
Source: Euronews
