The Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) of Belgium has issued a severe weather warning due to a sharp rise in temperatures across the country.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, forecasts indicate that temperatures in the eastern regions of the country are expected to climb to 40 degrees Celsius on June 26. Consequently, the highest level of alert, a "red alert," has been declared for the provinces of Liege and Limburg for Friday.
Reports indicate that an "orange alert" will remain in effect for the rest of the country at least until Saturday. Local municipalities and health authorities have activated emergency response plans to address the extreme weather conditions.
As part of these measures, authorities are monitoring the well-being of elderly and isolated citizens, enhancing safety protocols in nursing homes, and implementing specific protection guidelines for outdoor workers. The public has been advised to avoid going outside during the hottest hours of the day.
Currently, temperatures across Belgium range between 33 and 38 degrees Celsius, with nighttime temperatures failing to drop below 25–27 degrees, causing significant discomfort for the population. The anomalous heat has also impacted the schedules of educational institutions and railway transport.
Some schools and kindergartens have adjusted their operating hours, while delays have been recorded in train services due to the heat. Meteorologists do not rule out the possibility of the situation worsening. In the Brussels municipality of Uccle, a temperature of 34 degrees Celsius was recorded, marking a record high since 1976. Experts have warned that historical temperature records for the month of June could be broken in the coming days.
Heatwaves in Western Europe have become increasingly frequent and intense in recent years, a trend that climate scientists often attribute to global climate change. These extreme weather events frequently strain public infrastructure, particularly in countries not historically accustomed to such prolonged high temperatures.
