Hungary turns to water retention as drought empties lakes and rivers

Key Points:

• Lake Velence in Hungary is experiencing record low water levels, dropping to around 20 centimeters, severely impacting fishing and tourism as beaches close amid prolonged droughts and heat waves linked to climate change.
• Hungary faces a severe water crisis exacerbated by its historical practice of extensive drainage of wetlands and natural water retention areas, with over 80% of its wetlands lost, contributing to desertification and reduced local precipitation.
• The drying of lakes such as Lake Garancsi, once a popular recreational site, highlights the environmental degradation; the lake has shrunk dramatically, losing most wildlife and recreational viability.
• The Hungarian government, acknowledging the crisis, has pledged to shift from drainage-focused water management to water retention strategies, launching a comprehensive conservation program and addressing infrastructure issues causing significant water loss.
• Low water levels in the Danube River threaten Hungary’s nuclear power plant cooling operations, prompting emergency measures; experts emphasize that restoring wetlands could help mitigate drought impacts and stabilize water availability amid climate change.