Extreme flood reached Hungary: Danube bridge, border crossing closed, ferry service halted, train service changed

Storm Boris brought catastrophic floods to Central Europe, including Hungary’s Danube water system. Experts believe that Western parts like the Szigetköz and the settlements near River Leitha are in the greatest danger. Still, Budapest and other settlements also tirelessly prepare for extreme water levels. Based on the authorities’ decisions, parts of a Hungarian town may be deluged in case of emergency to prevent further damage. Meanwhile, a border crossing and a Danube bridge are already closed due to the flooding.

Danube to peak at 860 cm

According to portfolio.hu, Gabriella Siklós, a spokesperson of the General Directorate of Water Management, said locals in Western Hungary work to defend their settlements against the floodings caused by Storm Boris. She said all their crew work in the defence system at the rivers Danube and Leitha. She added that the Danube in Budapest is anticipated to peak on Saturday with 860 centimetres. In case of emergency, the General Directorate of Water Management will decide to let some water out, which may result in increased damages in some parts of Mosonmagyaróvár, she added.

According to 24.hu, the ferry commuting between Vác and Tahitótfalu will cease operation until Wednesday or Thursday. There, the Danube is expected to rise above 772 centimetres.

Margaret Island, Budapest. The Northern section of the island will be closed from today for traffic and people. Photo: MTI

Border crossing, Danube bridge closed due to flood

A journalist team of index.hu could not cross the Hungarian-Slovakian border yesterday due to the flooding. The closure started at 1 PM yesterday. Attila Szegi, another spokesperson of the General Directorate of Water Management, highlighted that the water level will reach the bridge. Thus, his colleagues try to protect it with sandbags. However, a lot depends on the amount of precipitation falling in Austria. In Nagybajcs, authorities expect a peaking at 850 centimetres. If they are right, the Danube level would be 40-50 centimetres below the 2013 record level.

“Danube bridge closed”. Photo: MTI

Flood alert in Hungary. Photo: MTI

Train schedules changed

We wrote HERE that Hungary’s train connection with Vienna ceased to exist for days due to Boris. According to turizmus.com, ÖBB said the connections might be reestablished by 18 or 19 September. Furthermore, Metropol EN trains between Budapest, Warsaw and Berlin will not commute until 19 September. On 16 and 17 September, Metropol EuroNight (EN 476) will only commute to Breclav and back. You may reach Austria with GYSEV trains, but they only commute to Neufeld an der Leitha and Pamhagen. As a result, you cannot reach Vienna or even Neusiedl am See from Hungary.

In position. Pilismarót, Hungary. Photo: MTI

Here are two videos of the dangerous situation in Bratislava (Pozsony), where authorities expect peaking at 950 centimetres:

Flooding in Bratislava on 15/09/2024. 😞
Video: @bratislava_mobilom #weather #ThisIsSlovakia #povoden #zaplavy #pocasie #bratislava #flood #sad pic.twitter.com/hZUBn3X8Wh

— This Is Slovakia (@ThisIsSlovakia_) September 16, 2024

Výška hladiny Dunaja v Bratislave presiahla 900 centimetrov. Zatopené je nábrežie aj promenáda. #SITA #Bratislava #Dunaj #flood #weather #Danube #Donau #Slovakia

Viac na ▶▶▶ https://t.co/zMX9uTjKfC pic.twitter.com/HXEQ4VKWf1

— Sita.sk (@webnovinysk) September 16, 2024

But what is behind all these extremities?

Scientists keep warning about the dangers a changing climate poses for every country. In the case of the Carpathian Basin, researchers say the previously dominating Western winds weakened allowing Northern frosts and Southern heat to conquer the region. As a result, crops can get fatally damaged or similar weather anomalies can occur more frequently.

The parliament and a pile of sandbags in Budapest. Photo: MTI

A week ago temperature maximums were broken. On Sunday, the 112-year-old Budapest minimum temperature and maximum wind record broke with only 9.4 degrees Celsius (48.92 degrees Fahrenheit) on the János hill, while in Siófok, the wind speed reached 105 km/h. Boris decimates the swallow population, as well.

Read also:

• Floods in Hungary, latest: Orbán postpones all international trips, near-record flooding expected, levee with 1,000 tonnes of rocks – photos and more in THIS article
• Important: Budapest floods disrupt tram and bus services, cause road closures