Hungary facing most challenging phase of flood defense: PM Orban

BUDAPEST -- Hungary has entered the most challenging phase of dealing with the current wave of flooding, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on Wednesday.

Orban told a press conference in Budapest that the peak of the flood wave hit Hungary from Tuesday night to dawn on Wednesday. Defense efforts are projected to last for around a week, with the floodwaters expected to leave the southern border to Serbia by next Thursday.

The flood wave on the Danube is expected to peak at Budapest on Saturday, between afternoon and evening, at 40-50 cm lower than the 846 cm historic high in 2013, Orban said.

He told journalists that this phase of flood defense, involving water management officials, disaster management, the military, and volunteers, would be the most difficult.

However, the Prime Minister added that the country's flood defenses have successfully withstood the strain so far. He characterized this year's defense as "preparing for known and anticipated events," emphasizing that previous experience from 2013 has equipped authorities to handle the situation.

Around 4,400 workers have been dispatched by the water and disaster management authorities, Orban said. Police and prison services are currently participating in flood defense efforts across 544 km of river in Hungary.

The government has invested 435 billion forints ($1.22 billion) in flood protection since 2013, resulting in better infrastructure, Orban underlined.

Hungary has not reported any casualties so far but continuous rainfalls in other Central and Eastern European countries over the last few days has claimed lives, triggered evacuations, and caused widespread damage and disruption.