Highest-level flood alert in effect in Budapest – UPDATE

A third-degree, highest-level flood alert is in effect along all sections of the Danube in Budapest from Monday, Gergely Karácsony, the city’s mayor, has said.

Water management experts conducted a range of protective measures over the weekend which included closing off vents and sluice gates, preparing water production facilities for safe flood operations and putting moorings in place, he said on Facebook.

The mayor noted that the embankments on both sides of the Danube will be closed to traffic from 8 pm on Monday, and the owners of the cars parked there have been asked to move their vehicles.

According to forecasts, the Danube will reach the lower embankment on Tuesday morning, he said.

Meanwhile, the Budapest water works, the disaster management authority, and subcontractors assisting the defence work will make one million sand bags available, approximately 800,000 of which will be used on Margaret Island.

He added that to ensure the smooth operation of protection efforts, the island’s protected zone will be closed to vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic will also be restricted from 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

Traffic restrictions will also apply on Nanasi and Kiralyok Road in northern Buda because of the delivery of the materials needed for the four-kilometer clay dyke being built there, the mayor said.

As we wrote yesterday, a flood alert disrupted international train services, and trains between Budapest and Vienna were canceled. Read details HERE.

As we wrote earlier, a Major flood protection alert was declared in Budapest amid rising Danube levels, and roads were closed. Read details HERE.

PM Orbán convenes operative body for flood protection

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán convened a meeting of the operative body responsible for flood protection early on Monday morning.

The head of each state body involved in flood protection operations briefed the operative body. They then determined the most urgent tasks and approved the flood protection plans for the coming days.

Orbán affirmed that all the technical and financial resources needed for the protection efforts are in place.

Read also:

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

UPDATE

PM Orbán met President Tamás Sulyok in the morning to brief him about the current status of flood defence operations.

Orban and Sulyok agreed to stay in constant contact in the most critical days of the defence work. They also agreed that the prime minister would provide the president with regular updates on the work completed by state organisations and emergency measures required.