Danube flood threatens Budapest as water levels near record highs
The flood crest is expected to reach Budapest on Saturday. The water level in the Danube is set to rise to 8.5 meters. However, the water level in the capital is already rising drastically. The streets near the Hungarian parliament have been flooded.
In western Hungary, the flood has already cut off a few towns from the world. The water level in the Danube continues to rise. Budapest is preparing for the flood crest, which is expected to arrive on Saturday.
As reported by the Metropolitan Sewerage Works (FCSM) management, all reinforcements and embankments controlling the river are to be completed by Thursday evening. In some areas, embankments will reach a height of up to nine meters.
Water invades the Hungarian capital
Footage has appeared online showing the Danube flooding the streets of Budapest.
The water has flooded the embankment in Budapest, where the famous Hungarian parliament building is located.
The streets around the Danube's shore are impassable.
"This is the current view of the river from my balcony. As you can see, the water fully covers the road. The ramps to river boats are also under water. The damage is quite extensive. There is no rain any time soon in the forecast so this will help some," reads a post by Hungarian chess player Susan Polgar.
The flood crest, which is expected to reach Budapest on Saturday, will raise the river's water level to 8.5 metres. In 2013, the record level was 8.9 metres.
Orban reassures ahead of the flood
The constant rise in water level has complicated the situation in the Danube bend. Since Wednesday evening, the town of Kisoroszi has been cut off from the rest of the country, and the access roads to Solyom Island have been closed.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Viktor Orban took a motorboat to Kisoroszi, where he also spoke with residents. "The flooding of the Danube currently threatens 1,032 people in the village, but everyone is safe because the defence is efficient and effective," the Hungarian prime minister said, as quoted by Népszava.
Earlier, he emphasised that the current water level in the Danube does not pose new challenges, as it is lower than in 2013 when the country experienced the largest flood in its history. The Hungarian prime minister stressed that there is no reason for concern, and all services responsible for flood protection are operating efficiently.
