The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) has issued a multi-day red warning for extreme heat affecting three major cities, Rijeka, Split, and Dubrovnik, from Sunday through Wednesday, August 9–12, 2026. This level of alert indicates a very high risk to public health due to prolonged exposure to intense heatwaves. According to DHMZ reports, all four days will carry the highest danger level, marked by the red warning. In Knin, moderate risks are expected on Sunday and Monday, escalating to severe on Tuesday and Wednesday. For Zagreb, Karlovac, and Gospić, no heatwave threat is anticipated on Sunday, with moderate alerts on Monday and Tuesday, followed by no risk on Wednesday. Similarly, in Osijek, no threats are forecast for Sunday and Wednesday, while moderate risks apply on Monday and Tuesday. In addition to the heat warnings, recent data from the Croatian State Statistics Office (DZS) reveals notable shifts in maritime traffic and cargo movement across Croatia’s coastal ports during the first half of this year. The total number of passengers transported via these ports remained nearly identical to last year, reaching 13.1 million, with 9.9 million recorded in the second quarter, a slight one percent decline compared to the same period in 2025. However, the number of vessels arriving at Croatian ports dropped by 0.2 percent, totaling 149,200 ships over six months, with a 1.3 percent decrease in the second quarter alone. Passenger numbers were highest in Split, where more than 1.4 million travelers boarded or disembarked from ferries and cruise ships, an increase of just 0.3 percent compared to the previous year. Dubrovnik saw a sharper drop of 4.6 percent, despite handling slightly over one million passengers. Vehicle movements showed minimal changes, with around 1.8 million cars, motorcycles, and trailers transported across ports in the second quarter, a mere 0.1 percent rise compared to last year. Meanwhile, bus traffic declined by 3.7 percent, amounting to approximately 11,100 buses. In contrast, the volume of goods transported through Croatian ports surged significantly, increasing by 21 percent in the first half of the year to reach 12.4 million tons. Of this, nearly 6.9 million tons passed through ports in the second quarter, marking a 26.3 percent growth compared to the same time last year. This surge was attributed primarily to increased liquid cargo transport, which rose by 18 percent, and containerized freight, which jumped by 82.9 percent. Rijeka Port stood out as the leader in cargo growth, recording an 83.5 percent increase in the second quarter compared to the same period in 2025, moving over 2.4 million tons of goods. Omišalj followed closely behind, with a 30 percent rise in cargo volumes, transporting more than 2.2 million tons. Ploče and Bakar ports experienced declines, with Ploče reporting a 16.1 percent drop and Bakar seeing a 7.9 percent reduction in cargo traffic. Split, however, maintained a modest 12 percent increase in its cargo throughput, handling 512,000 tons of goods. Meanwhile, record-breaking temperatures have been recorded along the Adriatic coast, with Split experiencing the highest temperature ever measured in August since records began in 1926. On August 12, the mercury reached 39.2 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 38.5 degrees set in 2015. The measurement was taken at the meteorological station on Mount Marjan, under standard conditions, emphasizing the severity of the heatwave. Similar extremes were noted in Senj, where temperatures hit 39.8 degrees, breaking the prior record of 39.7 degrees from 2015. Dubrovnik also saw a new high of 39.1 degrees on August 12, eclipsing the previous mark of 38.6 degrees from 2025. Authorities have urged residents to take precautions against the extreme heat, including avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours, staying hydrated, and ensuring adequate cooling in living spaces. Special caution is advised for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses. Meteorologists continue to monitor the situation, with further updates expected as the heatwave progresses.
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