On July 15, 2026, authorities in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan announced the temporary closure of all kindergartens due to a severe heatwave. The decision, effective from July 15 to July 17, aims to protect children from extreme temperatures that have exceeded 40°C (104°F) in the region.
According to the regional administration, the closure affects over 1,000 children enrolled in public and private kindergartens. Parents were notified via SMS and local media, and alternative childcare arrangements are being encouraged for essential workers.
This measure follows similar actions in other Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, which have also experienced record-breaking heat this summer. The Uzbek Ministry of Emergency Situations has issued warnings about heatstroke and dehydration, advising residents to stay indoors during peak hours.
Local health officials have set up cooling centers in public buildings and are distributing water in affected areas. The closures are expected to be lifted on July 18 if temperatures drop, as forecasted by the Uzbek Hydrometeorological Service.
