Hungary's drought crisis: Decades of drainage leave nation parched

A record drought in Hungary has laid bare the consequences of a centuries-old policy of draining the landscape. At Lake Velence, the country's third-largest lake, water levels have fallen to around 20 centimeters, a fraction of the 150 centimeters considered optimal for this time of year. Fisherman Árpád Selmeci, who has lived by the lake since childhood, described the situation as heartbreaking, noting he has never seen the water so low. Swimming beaches have been closed as the crisis deepens.

The current drought, exacerbated by climate change-driven heatwaves, has damaged crops, caused drinking water shortages, and even threatened the operation of Hungary's only nuclear power plant, which relies on the Danube River for cooling. The Danube has recorded successive record-low water levels this summer.

However, experts point to a deeper, man-made problem. Hungary has historically prioritized draining water from its landscape to support agriculture and development. A network of over 40,000 kilometers of drainage canals—longer than the Earth's circumference—has channeled water away from fields and wetlands. This practice has led to a consistent drop in the water table and the drying out of topsoil, making the country exceptionally vulnerable to drought.

A 2023 study estimated that Hungary has lost more than 80% of its historical wetlands. These natural areas act as reservoirs, retaining water during dry periods and helping to moderate local climates. Their loss has contributed to a cycle of drying, where less evaporation leads to less precipitation.

The impact is visible beyond Lake Velence. Lake Garancsi, a small recreational lake near Budapest and the setting of a cult Hungarian comedy, has nearly vanished. Its bed is now cracked and dry, and authorities predict no water will remain by the end of summer. A local business owner lamented that gradual steps were not taken to prevent the lake's destruction.

In response, Hungary's new government has promised a shift in policy. Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced a comprehensive water conservation program, stating that "water retention will be the basic principle of Hungarian water management." He also acknowledged that aging infrastructure leaks 20-25% of the country's drinking water, costing tens of millions of dollars annually.

While the government's commitment marks a potential turning point, experts like Zsuzsanna Ujj of Friends of the Earth Hungary argue that the country must fundamentally realign its practices. She emphasizes that restoring wetlands and increasing natural water retention could help boost precipitation and mitigate the effects of more frequent and intense droughts and floods expected in the future. The challenge now lies in implementing these sweeping changes before the nation's water resources are exhausted.