An unusually intense heatwave has swept across Uzbekistan, with temperatures reaching 46°C to 48°C in southern and desert regions, disrupting daily life and prompting a broad emergency response. In the capital Tashkent and elsewhere, authorities implemented measures ranging from metro speed reductions to kindergarten closures as the mercury climbed to 42°C–45°C across much of the country.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations placed fire and rescue teams on round-the-clock duty near markets, shopping centres, and other crowded locations to prevent fires and respond quickly to emergencies. In residential neighbourhoods, crews used fire trucks to spray water on children during the hottest part of the day.
“For several days, the Ministry of Emergency Situations has been organising these activities for children in residential areas,” said Murat Sadykov, head of the ministry’s Information Service. “Fire and rescue vehicles visit areas where children have gathered and spray them with water. During the peak of the summer heat, this helps them cool down and also lifts their spirits.”
Public Health and Infrastructure Under Pressure
The ministry also intensified public information campaigns, advising residents on how to protect themselves. “We are carrying out extensive awareness campaigns and informing people about important recommendations on how to protect themselves from the heat and its consequences,” Sadykov said. “We urge people to drink as much water as possible and to wear light-coloured, preferably white, cotton clothing.”
In Tashkent, the city administration increased water spraying on central and major roads and stepped up watering of trees and lawns. Fountains across the capital were switched to continuous operation to mitigate the heat in public spaces. Residents and visitors alike expressed surprise at the sudden spike, which is highly unusual for Uzbekistan at this time of year.
“We came here for a textile exhibition and were not expecting such extreme heat,” Altyn Bakiyeva, a visitor from Bishkek in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan, told Euronews. “It is also very hot in our country, but it is a few degrees hotter here and you can really feel the difference. We try to cope by using air-conditioned taxis, and fortunately our hotel also has air conditioning. Cold water is the only thing that helps.”
Tashkent resident Odinakhon Akramova said families were changing their eating habits. “We drink a lot of water. We put watermelons and melons in the refrigerator and eat them when they are cold. We mainly eat fruit and prepare only small amounts of cooked food,” she said.
Transport and Education Disruptions
Public transport operators introduced measures to protect infrastructure. In Tashkent, trains on above-ground sections of the metro temporarily operated at 40 kilometres per hour instead of the usual 60 kilometres per hour. Tashkent Metro JSC said the restriction was introduced because rail temperatures on elevated sections had exceeded the standard limit of 55°C. The reduced speed remained in force until 6 pm each day.
In the southern Surkhandarya Region, the movement of heavy vehicles was restricted on some roads between 10 am and 7 pm local time. Regional authorities said road surfaces could reach temperatures of 70°C–80°C, weakening the asphalt and increasing the risk of damage from heavy trucks.
Authorities also temporarily closed kindergartens in some of the most affected areas. In Karakalpakstan, preschool facilities in Nukus and eight districts were closed following the sharp rise in temperatures, according to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education. All state-run kindergartens in the Khorezm Region were also closed from Tuesday to Friday, while restrictions were introduced in several districts of the Navoi Region.
The heatwave in Uzbekistan is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting the Northern Hemisphere. In Europe, similar conditions have prompted warnings and adaptations, as seen in Spain bracing for a third heatwave with temperatures up to 45°C. Meteorologists attribute these events to a persistent high-pressure pattern keeping Europe in recurring heatwaves, a phenomenon that also influences Central Asia.
As Uzbekistan adapts to this rare event, the measures taken—from slowing trains to spraying water in streets—offer a glimpse of the kind of resilience that may become increasingly necessary as climate extremes intensify.
