Local services
Water distribution is taking place at several points in the city centre of Debrecen in view of the heat alert. On the 12th of July 2024, water was distributed between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., and until the 18th of July 2024, water will be provided to passers-by between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on working days.
Due to the rising temperatures, in the previous weeks, the vapour gates were already activated in several places, in and around the main square, on Kossuth Square, Dósa Nádor Square, and at the Reformed Small Church, and also in Tócóskert and Angyalföld Square.
As in the past years, the city government is holding drinking water distributions in the city centre with the help of volunteers from the Debrecen Charity Board member organisations.
Drinking water is provided to passers-by on working days between 12.00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
– on Kossuth Square
– on Dósa Nádor Square
– in front of Fórum Debrecen shopping centre (30 Csapó Street)
It is important that no one leaves home without a drink! Not only children and elderly people, but also pets should be looked after, so dogs and cats should be provided with sufficient and cool drinking water.
In view of the heatwave, the Green Area Department of the Debrecen Mayor’s office is watering the plants in public areas with increased attention – early in the morning or late at night. It also pays special attention to the proper operation of automatic irrigation systems. Public drinking fountains in playgrounds, busy promenades and parks are constantly monitored and their operation is checked. All public water fountains and spouting wells are in operation, which help to reduce the sensation of heat.
During this period, we also have large-scale irrigation of the city’s roads carried out by the park maintenance and public cleaning contractors on a schedule, in the early morning or late afternoon/evening hours, which will cover the roads, parks, walkways of the city centre and the Great Forest, the inner ring, including both the Eastern and Western parts of the city.
As part of the “Plant 10,000 trees” program, thanks to the 10,000 horticultural saplings that have already been planted, the young saplings evaporate about 200-230 cubic metres of water per vegetation period on approximately 5,000 cubic metres of foliage,thus improving the surrounding microclimate, which increases even more in the heat. The tree seedlings planted under the programme will provide around 32 hectares of shaded area across the city.
A single tree is equivalent to the thermal comfort of up to 10 air conditioners. In hot weather, temperatures can be up to 6-8 degrees lower in areas with trees than without, so trees planted under the programme have a significant microclimatic impact. By continuing the programme, planting another 10,000 trees will further reduce the negative environmental and physiological impacts of heat waves such as the current one, and increase the adaptability of urban ecosystems to extreme weather conditions.
Debrecen is a caring city, and in order to make the residents feel more comfortable, the Municipality organised the distribution of drinking water and installed vapour gates.
Elderly people, young children, pregnant women and people with cardiovascular disease are asked to travel during the heatwave only if absolutely necessary.
Source:debrecen.hu
