This spring has been marked by drought on a scale rarely seen even in historical terms, and there is little sign of meaningful rainfall on the horizon across Hungary. Experts have long warned of a looming crisis, yet decision-makers have, until very recently, failed to give the issue due attention. As a result, the River Tisza has already fallen to record-low levels — and the fiercest heat of summer is still some way off. Several popular bathing spots, including Lake Velence, may dry out entirely, possibly within the year.
Could the Tisza run dry?
A further sobering report has emerged concerning the water levels of one of Hungary’s most emblematic rivers, the Tisza. Rising in the Eastern Carpathians and flowing through Transcarpathia, northern Transylvania and the eastern Great Plain, the river — which sustains vast swathes of land along its course — is now carrying ever less water. Levels are approaching the historic lows recorded in the summer of 2022.
According to inforstart.hu, by Monday afternoon the river stood at just minus 280 centimetres at Szolnok — only a few centimetres shy of the 2022 record low of minus 301 centimetres. Crucially, this is still only May, while Hungary’s summers have in recent years become notably hotter and drier. The news outlet notes that water levels at the mouth of the River Zagyva have not been this low for some 170 years. Footage released by Szolnokon Szabadon shows an almost empty riverbed, with locals reportedly able to walk across the Tisza even now.
Not only Lake Velence at risk
Earlier reports suggested that Lake Velence could dry out completely by the autumn as a result of the severe drought. Replenishing its waters from the Danube remains a possibility, but such a project would be both costly and time-consuming, even if EU funding were available. An alternative would involve drawing water from wells near Érd.
However, according to HelloVidék, Lake Velence is far from the only body of water under threat. Lake Szálka, near Szekszárd in Tolna County, has also reached record-low levels. Urgent action would be required, yet a previous water replenishment scheme was blocked by local civil groups and private individuals. The mayor of Szekszárd, János Pálfi, has said that as a result, a previously allocated 100 million forints had to be returned, and he currently sees little prospect of replacing the missing 80 centimetres of water — even artificially.
In the village of Szálka, there are growing fears that if the drying trend continues, the local beach — popular not only with bathers but also with hikers, anglers and day-trippers seeking relief from the heat — may soon be forced to close.
Government turns its attention to drought
The severity of the drought has also prompted a political response. Péter Magyar has announced that his government will hold its first official meeting not in Budapest but in Ópusztaszer, partly in response to the unfolding crisis. According to the Hungarian News Agency, the meeting will be preceded by consultations with water management and agricultural experts, after which decisions will be taken on immediate measures and on the development of medium- and long-term water management strategies.
László Gajdos, Minister for the Living Environment, previously wrote on social media that he and the Prime Minister are preparing an urgent short- and medium-term action plan to address the drought.
“Our aim is to replace politically appointed leadership with a professionally grounded system of water management, accelerate regional water retention investments, and shift agriculture towards water conservation. We can no longer delay climate adaptation in the Carpathian Basin or the adoption of the ‘sponge city’ approach. We will therefore move immediately to make up for missed developments and to protect our natural water resources,” the minister wrote in early May.
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Danube and Tisza levels plummet perilously, lakes dry up – vast drought grips Hungary
Chilling warning in the Hungarian Parliament: 1/3rd of Hungary will be a desert, seasons changed in the country
