BUDAPEST, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian authorities on Tuesday extended the country's highest-level heat alert until midnight on Friday as forecasts indicate the ongoing heatwave will continue across the country.
The third-level heat alert, originally to expire at midnight on Tuesday, was prolonged based on the latest forecast from the Hungarian Meteorological Service (HungaroMet).
In a joint statement, the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy and the National Directorate General for Disaster Management warned that persistently high temperatures could affect everyone and urged people to take precautions to protect themselves and those most vulnerable.
The extension comes as Hungary continues to grapple with one of its most severe heatwaves in recent years, which has intensified drought conditions and lowered water levels in major rivers.
The heatwave also kept pressure on Hungary's energy system. The Paks nuclear power plant, which supplies nearly half of the country's domestic electricity, remained operational on Tuesday after the Danube's water level at Paks rose by 3 centimeters from the critical level recorded earlier in the day.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the plant's last operating turbine continued to function, but warned that its operation remains dependent on river conditions and the reliable performance of the cooling system.
Authorities also warned of an elevated wildfire risk, noting that firefighters have recently been responding to around 100 outdoor fires per day, including blazes affecting forests, grasslands and agricultural fields. ■