Parajd flooding causes fish deaths and water contamination in Hungary’s rivers
A major environmental incident near Parajd has released a wave of highly saline water into the Kis-Küküllő stream, threatening ecosystems across Romania and Hungary.
Parajd flood causes danger
A recent environmental incident near Parajd has triggered a cross-border ecological alert, as significant quantities of saline water have flowed from the Kis-Küküllő stream into larger river systems, threatening aquatic life. As Dívány reports, the situation escalated after contractors working in the Parajd salt mine area dismantled water flow reduction dams, originally installed on expert advice, without prior consultation with environmental authorities. This allowed a vast amount of salty water to enter the river system. Romanian Environment Minister Mircea Fechet confirmed that the salt concentration poses a critical environmental risk for the next 24 to 48 hours
The incident stems from flooding in late May when the Korond stream overflowed and inundated the Parajd salt mine, operated by the Romanian state-owned Salrom. The flood affected the tourist and medical therapy levels of the mine, including newer shafts such as the Telegdy mine. Efforts to redirect the stream backfired when the protective dams were removed, leading to severe saline contamination in the Kis-Küküllő. As Délmagyar highlights, this has already disrupted water services in parts of Romania, although Hungarian settlements using groundwater remain unaffected for now.
Threat to biodiversity
The ecological consequences are already apparent. As biologist Tihamér Fülöp noted on social media, the Kis-Küküllő is experiencing a collapse in biodiversity, with numerous reports of fish mortality. The salt-laden waters have flowed into the Maros and are on track to reach the Tisza River during the critical mayfly blooming period, a natural phenomenon when the insects are especially vulnerable. Romanian authorities are attempting to dilute the salt using reservoir water, but even these measures have not prevented severe environmental strain.
Lasting ecological damage
Experts warn that the salt wave could cause lasting ecological damage. As ecologist Tibor Hartel of Babes-Bolyai University documented, both common and protected species are perishing due to the water’s high salinity. With the contaminated water expected to reach the Romanian-Hungarian border at Nagylak imminently, Hungarian environmental agencies such as ATIVIZIG are on alert, although they have not yet released an official statement.
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