Record heatwave grips Netherlands: surgeries postponed, trains disrupted as code red eases to orange amid thunderstorm threats

Record temperatures and warnings

The Netherlands on Friday endured its hottest June day since KNMI measurements began in De Bilt, with temperatures hitting 38°C in Eindhoven by early afternoon. The national weather institute issued a code red warning for extreme heat in Limburg, Brabant, Gelderland, Overijssel, and Utrecht, with alerts in place until midnight. In Utrecht, the night brought little relief, as the minimum temperature stayed at 21.2°C. By 23:00, code red was downgraded to orange for Zuid-Holland, but provinces in the south and east remained under the highest alert level through Saturday. On Saturday, temperatures are forecast between 30 and 37°C, and code orange covers Utrecht, while code yellow warns of severe evening thunderstorms with large hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain.

Healthcare strain

The heat placed immediate pressure on healthcare services. Diakonessenhuis hospital in Utrecht postponed several scheduled operations after cooling systems struggled to maintain safe temperatures in operating rooms. A spokesperson described the cancellations as a precaution affecting a small number of patients, saying,

“It is annoying when your operation is cancelled, but there was understanding among patients.”

Emergency departments nationwide saw a rise in heat-related complaints, including dehydration among the elderly and children, according to Yara Basta of the Dutch association of emergency physicians (NVSHA). At the Ter Apel asylum registration centre, the Red Cross described the situation as 

“an irresponsible situation”

, with 50 to 60 people waiting in the heat; aid workers distributed caps, sunscreen and water and set up white tents and fans.

Transport and infrastructure disruptions

The heatwave caused extensive transport chaos. Dutch railway NS ran a reduced intercity schedule to prevent overheating, yet several trains broke down during the day. Repairs will prolong the disruption, forcing an adjusted timetable on Monday and Tuesday as well. NS warned that

“the heat may continue to cause problems, especially for double-decker trains.”

On the A15 motorway near Gorinchem, asphalt buckled in the heat, closing the parallel lane and the right lane of the main carriageway for emergency repairs until Saturday afternoon. Construction on the A12 was halted for the weekend to protect workers. At the Maasvlakte container terminal, around 10,000 trucks were stranded because cranes malfunctioned, with some drivers waiting since Thursday morning. Several provinces, including Flevoland, Noord-Holland and Overijssel, kept bridges closed to prevent expansion jamming, while others cooled bridge components with water.

Community coping and incidents

Residents sought relief wherever possible. Public buildings such as libraries, churches, supermarkets and museums opened their air-conditioned spaces, many free of charge. At Rotterdam city hall, 27 weddings proceeded despite the tropical conditions; bride Lina (31) said the code red warning required a mental adjustment on her wedding day. Animals also suffered: the Dierenambulance Drechtsteden and Vogelklas Karel Schot were overwhelmed, with a carer noting that both the birds and the workers were overheated. In a dangerous twist, dry leaves in a gutter in Schiedam ignited spontaneously, causing an attic fire that forced the evacuation of the house and neighbouring properties; no one was injured.

Outlook and energy grid pressure

Relief is expected after the weekend, with cooler air bringing temperatures down to around 23-24°C on Sunday. Saturday night may bring scattered thunderstorms, particularly in Zuid-Holland. The heat also strained the electricity grid, as high demand for cooling pushed dynamic electricity prices upward on Wednesday evening. Energy companies are exploring financial incentives to encourage households to reduce electricity use during peak hours through smart control of charging points, home batteries, and hybrid water pumps.

26 Jun38

27 Jun35

28 Jun24

26 Jun

38 °C

27 Jun

35 °C

28 Jun

24 °C

Data from the article text