Poland records highest-ever temperature, Hungary urges remote work as heatwave grips Europe

A widespread, intense heatwave in Europe has shattered Poland's century-old temperature record and prompted Hungarian authorities to urge remote work in the public sector.

Poland recorded its highest-ever temperature on Sunday, surpassing a national record that had stood for more than a century, although the reading is still awaiting official confirmation, according to the country's Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW).

IMGW spokesperson Agnieszka Prasek said temperatures reached 40.5 degrees Celsius in the western border town of Slubice and 40.3 degrees Celsius in Torun on Sunday during a severe heatwave sweeping across Central Europe.

The previous national record of 40.2 degrees Celsius was set in Proszkow, southern Poland, on July 29, 1921.

Prasek said the latest figures were based on hourly telemetry and operational data, while official weather stations record temperatures at designated observation times. The institute is still verifying the data.

The record-breaking readings came as the IMGW issued its highest, third-level heat warnings for large parts of the country, forecasting temperatures of up to 42 degrees Celsius in some regions.

As the heatwave intensified, Polish authorities instructed government ministries to take immediate measures within their respective areas of responsibility. Firefighters and police were placed on heightened alert over increased wildfire risks and water-related accidents, while the Health Ministry stepped up monitoring of heatstroke and dehydration cases, particularly among the elderly and children.

Meanwhile, Hungary is preparing for what the health authorities described as the country's most severe heatwave in two decades with emergency measures, including water-use restrictions, rail speed limits and health advisories.

Hungarian 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.

Poland and Hungary are among several Central European countries affected by the heatwave, with Germany 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.

Poland records highest-ever temperature, Hungary urges remote work as heatwave grips Europe

Local merchants in Gyirong County of Xigaze City, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, have been providing free relief supplies and essential aid to rescue teams and frontline workers following a catastrophic mudslide.

The deadly mudslide triggered by a glacial collapse on the Nepalese side struck the remote China-Nepal border region on Aug 26 morning.

Zeng Yong, owner of a building materials store in the county, kept his business open around the clock and provided complimentary lodging for rescue and restoration workers in the aftermath of the disaster.

"I didn't think about anything else at all. I just knew that building materials were definitely needed in disaster relief. We provided whatever we had and stayed open all day long," said Zeng.

On the night of the disaster, Zeng and his family and store employees rushed to assemble 16 makeshift beds and urgently purchased bedding supplies. After six to seven hours of intensive effort, they transformed the second-floor office area into a functional rest area for frontline workers.

"On the front line, I was mainly tying steel cages and had been working continuously for two days and one night. The tents at the frontline are all full," said Zhang Xuhui, a worker of China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Bureau Group Bridge Engineering Co., Ltd. "Sleeping bags and raincoats are all packed in bags. The moment we receive the order, we just grab our bags and head straight there,” said Lhapa Tsering, a rescuer.

Among those staying at Zeng's store are emergency support personnel, frontline workers and freight drivers. No matter how late they return, Zeng keeps the lights on to welcome them.

"Their rescue work doesn't follow a regular schedule, and sometimes they come back very late. I always keep the light on so they can return at any time," said Zeng.

Across the streets of Gyirong County, temporary volunteer service stations have been set up, operating around the clock to provide a wide range of supplies to rescuers and local residents alike.

"When disaster strikes, help comes from all sides. I have lived here for nearly 30 years -- this place is half my hometown. As long as I can help in any way, even just a little, it is a small token of my appreciation," a local merchant.

Gyirong merchants mobilize to provide free aid to rescue teams, frontline workers