Hungary has recorded its highest temperature since weather observations began in 1870, as an intense heatwave continues to grip much of the country.

According to the Hungarian Meteorological Service (HungaroMet), the temperature reached 42 degrees Celsius on Tuesday afternoon in Szécsény, located in Nógrád County in northern Hungary, setting a new national record.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar said the country had never experienced such high temperatures, describing the reading as an unprecedented milestone in Hungary's recorded weather history.

The previous national record of 41.9 degrees Celsius was set on July 20, 2007, in the southern town of Kiskunhalas.

With average daily temperatures exceeding 29 degrees Celsius in recent days, HungaroMet has issued its highest-level heat alert. Authorities have introduced emergency measures, including remote working arrangements for many public-sector employees, while workplaces requiring on-site attendance have been instructed to provide air-conditioned environments and access to drinking water.

Municipalities, the Hungarian Armed Forces and humanitarian organizations have been distributing bottled water at streets, railway stations and bus terminals, while several public events, including sporting competitions, have been postponed or scaled back because of the extreme heat.

The government has also urged residents to conserve electricity as power demand rises, while the Paks Nuclear Power Plant has reduced output because of higher temperatures in water drawn from the Danube River for reactor cooling.(ILKHA)