Mounting evidence suggests the summer of 2026 may enter the record books as one of the most severe droughts in living memory. Prolonged rainfall deficits coupled with exceptional heat have triggered a dramatic and relentless fall in water levels across the country: Lake Velence has dropped below historic lows and continues to recede, Tata’s Old Lake is nearing its 2003 record minimum, while the Danube has fallen so sharply that questions have been raised about Budapest’s drinking water supply.
Lake Velence on the brink
By late summer, Lake Velence could all but disappear — with local tourism effectively written off for the year.
The situation at the lake is perhaps the most acute. Water levels measured at Agárd are far below the optimal 130 centimetres, and recent footage from the shoreline shows the water retreating by tens of metres in places. Winds now whip up sand from the exposed lakebed, beaches lie largely deserted, and the remaining water continues to warm — raising the prospect of emergency fish harvesting to protect aquatic life.
In many areas, the lake can now be crossed on foot. With further heat expected in the coming weeks, the decline is likely to continue, potentially fragmenting the water surface and bringing about the effective disappearance of Lake Velence in its current form.
You may check out some photos by clicking HERE.
And a one-month-old photo:
Old Lake in Tata also under strain
The crisis is not confined to Velence. In Tata, the water level of the Old Lake has also fallen to exceptionally low levels, largely due to the prolonged lack of rainfall and persistent drought conditions.
The implications extend beyond environmental concerns. The lake is one of the town’s principal tourist attractions, and its ecological balance could be severely disrupted if dry conditions persist.
The Old Lake retains one advantage over Lake Velence: it still receives some inflow via the Által Stream, index.hu wrote. However, this does not extend to nearby Lake Cseke, which is in significantly worse condition. The lakeside is also home to one of Hungary’s most acclaimed restaurants, Platán Gourmet in Tata.
Danube levels fall, but supply secure
Meanwhile, the Danube has also seen a sharp drop in water levels. The unusually low flow has prompted concerns over whether Budapest’s drinking water supply could be at risk.
For now, authorities insist there is no immediate danger. The capital’s water is primarily sourced from bank-filtered wells, naturally purified through the Danube’s gravel bed. These systems continue to operate safely, and water quality remains unchanged, portfolio.hu wrote.
Heat forces sailing rethink on Lake Balaton
Lake Balaton has not escaped the effects of the heatwave. Water levels have been falling for weeks, with tangible consequences for sailing.
Organisers of this year’s Kékszalag — Europe’s longest and oldest round-the-lake sailing race — were forced to alter the course due to increasingly shallow sections. Larger vessels require a minimum depth of 240 centimetres, which was no longer available in parts of the Keszthely basin. As a result, the buoy line had to be shifted by roughly 1.5 kilometres, with further declines expected in the weeks ahead, as per 24.hu.
Historic drought: Hungary’s beloved lakes at risk of drying up — could even the Tisza run dry?
Little relief in sight
Shallow lakes are particularly vulnerable to sustained heat and intense evaporation, especially in the absence of adequate rainfall over preceding months. The key question now is whether any relief is on the horizon.
Medium-range forecasts offer little encouragement. Over the next one to two weeks, Hungary is likely to see continued warm, generally drier-than-average conditions. While scattered showers and thunderstorms may occur, they are unlikely to bring meaningful relief from the drought.
Temperatures next week are expected to reach a more typical summer range of 28–33°C, without the extreme heat dome conditions seen earlier — but with no significant shift in the broader drying trend through to the end of July.
Hungary’s Great Plain is slowly drying out, with a Lake Balaton’s worth of water missing
