World · Uzbekistan heatwave · ArchiveUzbekistan's 48°C Heatwave Forces Metro Slowdowns, Kindergarten ClosuresAired July 21, 2026 at 9:09 AM UTCWritten September 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:00Uzbekistan is facing an extraordinary0:02heat wave with temperatures climbing to0:0448° C in southern and desert regions,0:07forcing authorities to take emergency0:09measures that are reshaping daily life0:10across the country. The extreme heat has0:13spread across the nation from the0:14capital Tashkent to the arid regions of0:17Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Navoi,0:19Surkhandarya, and the wider Tashkent0:21area. Each region is now implementing0:23its own emergency protocols as0:25temperatures show no sign of mercy. In0:27Tashkent, the metro has been forced to0:29slow its trains from 60 to 40 km/h after0:32rail surface temperatures exceeded 55°0:34C.0:35The transit authority says the speed0:37reduction is a safety measure to prevent0:38track warping. A 1/3 reduction in metro0:41speed necessary to keep the system0:43running safely while track temperatures0:45remain dangerously high. The emergency0:47response goes far beyond the metro.0:49Kindergartens have been closed across0:51Karakalpakstan, Khorezm, Navoi,0:53Tashkent, and other regions. Heavy0:55vehicle traffic is restricted during the0:57hottest hours in Surkhandarya. Water is0:59being sprayed on major roads across the1:01capital, and the city's fountains have1:03been switched to continuous operation.1:05Fire and rescue teams have been deployed1:07round the clock near markets and crowded1:09areas across the capital, standing ready1:11to respond to heat-related emergencies1:13as they arise. Authorities say the1:16extreme heat is expected to ease in the1:17coming days, but for now Uzbekistan is1:20living through a climate event that was1:21once unthinkable for this region, and1:24the emergency playbook is being written1:25in real time.Explore with HeyDexThe shortThe short ↗