PHOTOS: Budapest braces for flood surge as severe storms hit the region

Budapest is preparing for a significant flood surge, with the Danube’s water levels expected to rise dramatically in the coming days. According to the National Water Forecasting Service (Országos Vízjelző Szolgálat), starting Monday, the river’s water level will increase by roughly one meter per day, surpassing 800 cm by midweek. Current data shows the river’s level at 250 cm, and it’s predicted to reach as high as 850 cm, potentially triggering third-degree flood alerts. For comparison, the highest water level ever recorded was 891 cm.

Budapest to see restrictions due to the flood situation

Given these projections, authorities are considering closing off Margitsziget (Margaret Island) to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic, Portfolio reports. The lower embankment of the Pest side will likely be submerged by 17 September, while other sections, including the Buda side, will be closed from 8 PM on 16 September.

This surge comes after days of severe weather across Austria and parts of Central Europe. Heavy rainfall has caused significant flooding, particularly in Lower Austria and Burgenland. The storms have now reached western Hungary, prompting the Hungarian Meteorological Service (HungaroMet) to issue an orange alert for Sunday, warning of wind gusts reaching 110 km/h in some areas, Portfolio writes in another article.

Flooding in Austria

In Austria, the Lainsitz River has overflowed, flooding roads and disrupting train services between Amstetten and St. Valentin. Vienna has also faced challenges, with partial closures on metro lines due to water entering tunnels. Emergency evacuations are underway, and the Austrian army has been deployed to assist, Die Presse reports.

Es ist soweit: Erste Flüsse in Niederösterreich überschreiten nun die 30-jährliche Hochwassermarke – etwa die Lainsitz im Waldviertel.
Und die kommenden 48 Stunden bringen gerade im Osten noch einmal extreme Niederschlagsmengen.
(Bilder: Stadtgemeinde Weitra) pic.twitter.com/ZfekYSLqPt

— wetterblog.at (@wetterblogAT) September 14, 2024

Although forecasts indicate a reduction in rainfall over the next few days, strong winds continue to hinder recovery efforts in Austria. Winds in some regions have reached speeds of 121 km/h, particularly in higher elevations such as the Rax mountain station.

The situation in Czechia

: Flooding in Czechia on 14 September. Photo: MTI/EPA/Martin Divisek

: Flooding in Czechia on 14 September. Photo: MTI/AP/Petr David Josek

In Czechia, tens of thousands of people are being evacuated due to flooding. Nearly 3,000 people are leaving their homes in the Moravian-Silesian region, with thousands more evacuated from Opava. Both the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions have declared states of emergency, and four people are missing due to the floods, according to Hospodarske Noviny.

Heavy rain continued overnight into Sunday, and forecasters warn that the combined water flow in areas such as Jeseníky, Krnov, and Opava may exceed levels seen only once in a century. Southern Bohemia is also facing severe conditions.

Sunday’s forecasts predict less rain than today, but in the Jeseníky Mountains, up to 80–100 mm of rain could still fall, according to Environment Minister Petr Hladík. The bad news is that more rain is expected on Monday, he added.

In Hungary, authorities advise residents in affected areas to avoid travel until conditions improve.

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