Occasional droughts are part of Hungary's climate, but in recent decades summers have become significantly hotter and heatwaves more frequent as well as more intensive, the Meteorological Service reported.Continue reading
Hungary is experiencing its driest seven months since 1901, with almost half of the average rainfall missing, the National Water Directorate General (OVF) said in a statement.
In the catchment areas, 2021 was already drier than average, and the first seven months of 2022 increased this deficit. Ten of the country’s 12 water management directorates are on water shortage alert. The increased water demand can, however, be met from the amount of water previously stored.
Water restrictions are not necessary at the moment, but there is a limited scope for meeting the exceptional water demand not indicated at the beginning of the irrigation season, they added.
The average water level of Lake Balaton was 78 centimeters on Tuesday morning. The water level will continue to fall slowly over the next week. At the end of the holiday season on 1 September, the average water level is expected to be around 70-75 centimeters.
The water level in Lake Velence south of Budapest on Tuesday morning was 58 centimeters. To ensure the oxygen supply to the fish, the water authority has installed and is operating several aeration and water circulation devices. The water quality, dissolved oxygen concentration and algae composition and quantity in Lake Velence are all acceptable for the aquatic ecosystem.
The OVF also pointed out that since January, the Danube river basin has experienced a 25 percent rainfall deficit compared to the climatic average, while the Tisza river has experienced a 31 percent rainfall deficit. In March, 79-89 percent of the rainfall was missing.
Featured Photo: Danube in Budapest, Pixabay