The Danube, on the steps of the Hungarian parliament, in Budapest. Photo: Attila Kisbenedek / AFP
Over the weekend, Hungary faced its worst flooding in a decade as the Danube River surged to critical levels, flooding homes and streets in Budapest and surrounding villages. The waters of the Danube reached the steps of Hungary’s Parliament before starting to recede.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on Monday that Hungary was “winning 1-0 against the Danube” but warned the battle was not over. “We still face tough days ahead, and we hope the raised dams will hold,” he said.
Gabriella Siklos, spokesperson for Hungary’s Water Management Authority, stated that the flood’s peak was 50 centimeters lower than the record flood in 2013, but the river remains under close watch as water levels are receding slowly. In some areas, the Danube has flooded homes, and residents had to use boats to travel.
22-year-old student Beata Hargitai recalled, “The last time the water was this high, I was only 10. It’s harder to get around Budapest, but things seem to be under control.”
The floods, triggered by Storm “Boris,” have already claimed 24 lives across several Central European countries. In response to the disaster, the European Commission has allocated €10 billion in aid to the affected regions.
