Record flood expected along the Danube in Hungary

A state of emergency is declared in Hungary due to the record high water levels expected on the river Danube. Dozens of people have been evacuated, so far – and many more are expected – and utilities have been switched off in some affected areas.

As the latest estimates suggest that the Danube will peak in Budapest on June 10 (at 875 cm), flood prevention efforts are underway. Public authorities, local governments, inhabitants and volunteers are effectively coordinating efforts in order to prevent flood waters from reaching the interior.

Almost a thousand civil guards are currently working in four counties and the Hungarian Defense Force has also been deployed to help flood prevention efforts. In addition to the army’s professional staff, 4700 reservists are deployable to help protect against the current, unprecedented Danube flood.

The National Humanitarian Coordination Council aimed at coordinating the work of organizations engaged in flood defense operations held its first meeting this morning. The participating aid organizations and charities coordinate the collection of donations and the distribution of aid packages.

The governing party Fidesz delays its congress, originally planned for this Sunday, and all their MPs, mayors, party members and activists are asked to instead participate in flood prevention efforts around the country.

The opposition parties are also helping the flood prevention works with many of their high profile figures, including former PM Ferenc Gyurcsány, personally participating in the endangered areas. Members of the men’s national water polo team packed sandbags as ‘part of their training’ for the World Cup.

President of the Republic. János Áder expressed condolences and sympathies over the fatalities and damage caused by floods in letters sent to his German, Austrian and Czech counterparts and he wished successful operations to all the participants involved in flood protection work along the Danube and Moldova rivers.