Budapest is set to face one of the decade's most significant floods in the coming week. The Danube River, which divides the city, is rising due to heavy rainfall in neighboring Austria and Slovakia, and Hungary will be impacted as well. Preparations are already underway to mitigate the effects of the flood.
The last major flood, in 2013, saw the Danube reach 891 cm, and predictions suggest the water levels this time could be similar, though possibly slightly lower. One of the most affected areas is Óbuda's Római Part, a place of personal significance to me as it’s where I grew up. I recently visited to check on the preparations, and they’re going quite well, which gives me confidence that the city will be able to manage the flood.
Budapest has a strong track record of flood protection, and that history reassures me that we can handle this event as we have done in the past. After the great flood of 1838, the government at the time constructed the Rakpart embankment system to safeguard the city from similar disasters. To this day, it remains a crucial defence against floods.
If you plan to visit Budapest during this period, be aware that some public transportation services may be disrupted. However, daily life in the city will largely continue as usual, despite the flood.
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