Belgium Officially Enters Third National Heatwave as Extreme Temperatures Disrupt Daily Life
Belgium officially entered its third national heatwave of the year on Friday, August 14, as temperatures surpassed 30°C in Uccle, confirming what meteorologists had anticipated for days. The heatwave, which began on August 8, is expected to persist until Sunday or Monday when temperatures are forecast to drop below 25°C, according to VRT NWS.
For an official heatwave in Belgium, temperatures must exceed 25°C for five consecutive days in Uccle, with at least three days reaching 30°C or more. Thursday’s reading of 34.6°C in Uccle broke the daily record for August 13, surpassing the previous mark of 32.1°C set just last year.
The Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI) has issued code orange heat warnings across the entire country except West Flanders province, with forecasts of 35-37°C in the interior and the Kempen region potentially reaching 37°C.
Bus Drivers Strike in Hainaut Over Unbearable Heat
The extreme conditions triggered a spontaneous strike by TEC bus drivers in Hainaut on Friday morning, with depots in Mons and Eugies blocked. The action caused significant disruption for commuters across the region.
Karl Di Stefano, permanent secretary of the CSC Services Publics Transports union, said the situation had become untenable. “Commuters and drivers are suffering in vehicles that are not air-conditioned,” he told RTBF. “You have to realize that when it’s 36 degrees in the shade outside, the temperature easily exceeds 45 degrees in the bus!”
Only 29 percent of the LETEC Hainaut bus fleet is equipped with air conditioning, a key factor in the walkout. The union is demanding a comprehensive heatwave plan at the regional level, arguing that recent measures were implemented “unilaterally, in urgency, and without reflection.”
TEC said it regretted the spontaneous strike and the disruption it caused for travelers. The company pointed to measures including fresh water bottles at depots, individual insulated water bottles, mist sprayers, and accessible water fountains, stating that “the health of our staff is our priority.” The strike was not expected to affect the Charleroi or Tournai zones.
The national railway company NMBS also cancelled several peak-hour P-trains due to the heat, taking older train sets without air conditioning out of service and advising travelers to avoid peak-hour travel and carry water.
Outremeuse Festivities Adjust Safety Measures
Authorities in Liège have modified security and prevention measures for the traditional August 15 festivities in Outremeuse due to the heat and drought. The iconic fireworks display, which normally closes the celebrations, has been cancelled in accordance with the general prohibition issued by the Governor of the Province of Liège, as RTBF reported. Wallonia is under red fire code due to the severe drought.
Liège Mayor Willy Demeyer defended the decision, noting that firefighters had determined there was a genuine risk. “The heatwave continues and the firefighters considered there was a risk,” he said. “Unlike July 14, we’re not in the same environment and it’s even drier.” However, the traditional campes shooting will be maintained.
The cancellation drew criticism from fireworks specialist William Wilkin, who has been in the business for 32 years. “Since the drought continues, they scare people by saying everything must be banned when there’s no reason for it to be systematic,” he told QU4TRE. Wilkin said he had proposed using smaller calibre fireworks with a reduced safety zone, but his suggestions were not considered.
Medical and police services will be reinforced throughout the weekend, with four pallets of water requisitioned and additional ambulance capacity on standby.
Belgian Waterways Defy the Drought
Despite nearly two months without significant rainfall, Belgian waterways remain navigable with virtually no restrictions - a feat that sets the country apart from neighbours struggling with severe drought conditions. The Meuse flow at Visé was just 21 m³/s on August 13, compared to an average of 200-300 m³/s.
Sarah Pierre, spokesperson for the Service Public de Wallonie Mobilité et Infrastructures, explained that the Walloon waterways were “very well designed” as an intelligent network of run-of-river dams and pumping stations, according to RTBF. The system includes 15 barrages on the 183 km of Meuse and 8 on the 87 km of Sambre. Only one section at Monceau on the Sambre is limited to 1.80m draft, compared to the normal 2.50m.
The drought is nonetheless putting significant pressure on water resources. Brussels water company Vivaqua has activated reserves in two quarries and asked customers to reduce consumption, while 15 Walloon municipalities have imposed water restrictions. About 83 percent of groundwater measurement points show low to extremely low levels for this time of year.
Desert-Like Conditions and Health Concerns
Friday’s exceptionally low humidity - dropping to 15-20 percent in the interior, compared to a Belgian average of 75 percent - created what VRT weather presenter Sabine Hagedoren described as a “desert-like climate,” as VRT NWS reported.
Dr. Olivier Vanderveken, head of the ENT department at Antwerp University Hospital, warned that dry air can cause mucous membranes to dry out, potentially leading to fever and increased susceptibility to illness. People with lung conditions are also at risk, with pulmonologist Dr. Annelies Janssens advising against physical exertion during the heatwave.
Flemish Environment Minister Jo Brouns called on citizens to be extremely economical with water. “The tap won’t run dry tomorrow, but the drought becomes more visible every day,” he said. “Anyone who uses water sparingly today helps prevent stricter and binding measures from being needed.”
Temperatures are expected to drop over the weekend with possible thunderstorms, potentially bringing relief from the prolonged heat and drought that have defined this extraordinary summer.