Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced in late June that the government will launch a comprehensive water conservation program to address severe drought conditions. The policy shift aims to move from a drainage-based system to one focused on water retention as record-low water levels affect the country’s lakes, rivers, and infrastructure.
Environmental experts point to a long-standing practice of channelling water away from the landscape to support agriculture. A 2023 study in the journal Nature estimated that Hungary has lost more than 80% of its historical wetlands. The country maintains a network of over 40,000 kilometers of drainage canals, which experts say has contributed to a drop in the water table and the drying of topsoil.
Currently, 99% of Hungary’s lands are experiencing severe or extreme drought, according to the national meteorological service. Lake Velence, the nation's third-largest lake, reached a depth of 20 centimeters in August, significantly below the 150 centimeters considered optimal. Similarly, Lake Garancsi has almost entirely dried out, resulting in the loss of all fish and the closure of recreational activities.
The scale of the crisis involves billions in financial losses and critical infrastructure risks. Prime Minister Magyar reported that aging utility pipes leak 20% to 25% of the country’s drinking water, costing approximately 17 billion forints ($54.4 million) every year. On the Danube River, water levels have reached record lows, threatening the operation of the Paks nuclear power plant. The plant, which has operated for 44 years, relies on river water for cooling. To prevent a shutdown, the government has resorted to emergency measures, including sinking two 80-meter barges and installing a riverbed sill to redirect water flow toward the plant’s pumps.
For the average citizen, these conditions translate to higher risks of water rationing and potential threats to the stability of the power grid during extreme heat. While the government has pledged to prioritize water retention, biodiversity specialists like Zsuzsanna Ujj note that restoring wetlands will be a time-consuming and costly process. The next steps involve the implementation of the government's water management program, though specific deadlines for infrastructure repairs and wetland restoration have not been reported. Officials expect water levels to continue fluctuating as precipitation patterns become more extreme.