A slow rise is expected in Budapest, with the Danube’s water level set to increase by approximately fifty centimeters by Saturday evening, after which the river will begin to slowly recede, said István Láng, National Water Management Director, on M1’s 48 Minutes news program, broadcast live from Dunabogdány on Thursday afternoon.
During the interview, Láng stated, „The flood is significant, and defense efforts are challenging.” He noted that while the Danube’s current water level is about fifty centimeters below the 2013 flood levels, the pressure on the flood defenses remains considerable.
According to the National Director of Water Management, the Danube is currently near its peak in Nagybajcs, but the river is expected to start receding from Friday along the northern sections.
He pointed out that:
The defense efforts will take longer than initially planned, as the recession is slower than expected. This is due to significant rainfall in Germany following the Boris cyclone’s breakout, causing the floodwave to have a „double peak,” he explained.
„This is a very large flood and will create considerable pressure,” said István Láng, emphasizing the preparedness of the defenses. He highlighted that Hungary’s dikes are in very good condition, having built an excellent defense system across the country.
When asked if the country is prepared for even bigger floods, the director emphasized that defenses are designed for „events that occur once in a century.” He added that following the 2013 flood, the „design flood discharge” was revised and increased from 10,500 to 11,200 cubic meters per second, and the defenses have since been built accordingly.
„The experience of the 2013 flood is etched in our minds; now we know where the critical points are. I feel, and I see, that we have prepared much better for this flood,” Láng said.
During the discussion, it was mentioned that Kisoroszi is currently inaccessible by road due to the flood. Láng noted that the village is expected to „reopen” by next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Láng also mentioned that there is no need to worry about flooding south of Budapest, as significant developments have taken place since the catastrophic 1956 flood, raising and strengthening the dikes below the city.
Zoltán Góra, National Director of Disaster Management, praised the unprecedented collaboration and noted that many volunteers are helping with the defense efforts.
„The task at hand is to protect the country,” he declared, stating that the disaster management team is prepared for flood defense. Both professional and volunteer staff are receiving training in flood rescue operations, he said.
According to Góra:
The role of disaster management is to work with water management experts to execute the construction of flood defenses. The National Directorate General for Disaster Management (OKF) provides the necessary equipment and manpower for the defense efforts. Professional firefighters, police officers, soldiers, prison service staff, volunteer firefighters, rescue organizations, civilian guards, and many civilians are involved in the work.
Góra Zoltán emphasized that the disaster management service has significant resources thanks to recent developments, including the introduction of rescue boats and the acquisition of drones.
The OKF director also recalled that the Boris cyclone impacted Hungary as early as last Friday, requiring interventions at nearly a thousand locations. By Sunday morning, power outages affected more than 18,000 households, but the issues were resolved within a day.
„Everyone is working tirelessly to ensure that the flood defenses are completed on time,” he emphasized, specifically highlighting the assistance provided by the Volunteer Firefighter and Life-Saving Association of Kaposvár in Kisoroszi.
Góra also warned that tourists who are sightseeing and taking photos in closed areas are hindering the defense efforts and putting their own safety at risk.
István Láng added that disaster tourists can damage the dikes, obstruct traffic, and disturb wildlife fleeing the floodplain.
Hungary is currently experiencing significant flooding along the Danube River. Authorities and water management experts are closely monitoring flood events, especially in regions like Szigetköz and the Danube Bend. Emergency efforts are in place to reinforce flood defenses using sandbags, with military and firefighter support strengthening embankments in towns such as Dunabogdány.
In Budapest, the water level of the Danube is expected to rise approximately 50 centimeters by Saturday evening, followed by a slow recession. While the current water levels are slightly below those seen in the 2013 floods, the strain on protective barriers remains substantial. Precautionary measures have been intensified, with emergency services on high alert, and citizens are urged to avoid flood zones to prevent disruption of relief efforts.
The flood defenses, particularly around Budapest, are in good condition due to infrastructural improvements after the catastrophic flood of 1956, and experts are confident in the ability to manage the current situation. Nonetheless, the slow receding of waters suggests that the flood defense efforts will need to remain in place for a longer period than initially anticipated.
In Kisoroszi, the floodwaters have made the area inaccessible by road, and recovery efforts are expected to continue into the following week. The cooperation between emergency services, volunteers, and local authorities is proving crucial in minimizing damage and protecting vulnerable areas.
Cover Image Caption: Dunabogdány, September 18, 2024. Soldiers working on the construction of the flood defense barrier in Dunabogdány on September 18, 2024. MTI/Zoltán Máthé
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