Anomalous Heat Prompts Temporary Kindergarten Closures in Khorezm and Navoi Regions

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Authorities in the Khorezm and Navoi regions of Uzbekistan have temporarily suspended the operations of several state-run preschool educational organizations in response to an ongoing anomalous heatwave.

According to the regional departments of preschool and school education, all state kindergartens in the Khorezm Region will remain closed from 14 July to 17 July 2026. These institutions are scheduled to resume regular operations on 20 July 2026.

In the Navoi Region, authorities have implemented selective closures. State kindergartens in the Uchkuduk and Nurata districts, as well as specific preschool facilities in the Tamdy and Kanimekh districts, will be closed through 17 July 2026.

For the remaining districts of the Navoi Region, officials are conducting ongoing inspections of preschool institutions to verify their compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements and to ensure they have the necessary cooling conditions. Decisions regarding further potential closures will be made based on the results of these assessments.

The Ministry of Preschool and School Education clarified that decisions regarding the temporary suspension of kindergartens are made independently by each regional administration. These actions are guided by evaluations and recommendations provided by territorial subdivisions of Uzhydromet (the Hydrometeorological Service Agency), the Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Service, and local Hokimiyats.

The ministry emphasized that there are currently no plans for a nationwide shutdown of all preschool institutions.

The regional closures follow emergency measures taken in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, where state and private kindergartens in Nukus and eight surrounding districts suspended activities starting 13 July 2026 due to extreme temperatures.

According to Uzhydromet, an intense, dry air mass from the south is moving across Uzbekistan between 13 July and 17 July 2026. Daytime temperatures are projected to reach +41°C to +43°C generally, with northern, southern, and desert areas expected to experience peaks of +44°C to +46°C.