OVF: Since 1901, Hungary has gone through the driest six months
In the watersheds, 2021 was already drier than average, and the first seven months of 2022 increased this deficit. Ten out of the country’s 12 water directorates are prepared for water shortages. The increased water needs can be met from the previously stored water volume.
There is no need for water restrictions anywhere, but there is only a limited possibility to tie up extraordinary water needs – irrigation not indicated at the beginning of the year – they added.
Pumped water supply continues on the Danube at the Kvassay lock in Budapest and at the Sajó Elemér structure in Tass. Since July 13, about 40 million cubic meters of water, approximately one volume of water from Velencei lake, have been pumped from the Danube to the Ráckevei (Soroksári) Danube branch, mainly used for irrigation and the operation of fish ponds.
The average water level of Lake Balaton was 78 centimeters on Tuesday morning. The water level will continue to slowly drop over the next week. According to forecasts, at the end of the holiday season, on September 1, the average water level of the lake is expected to be around 70-75 centimeters.
The water level of Lake Velence on Tuesday morning was 58 centimeters. In order to supply the fish with oxygen, the employees of the water department have installed and operate several aeration and water circulation equipment. According to Monday’s measurements by the competent water management directorate, the water quality of Lake Velence, the dissolved oxygen concentration, and the algae composition and quantity are adequate for the aquatic ecosystem.
However, the loss of water causes the lake’s water to concentrate, as a result of which many characteristics of the water may exceed the tolerance of the fish and cause fish death, they wrote.
The OVF announced that due to the drought situation, the extremely low water levels of lakes and rivers, and the increased irrigation needs, the work of the National Technical Steering Group of Water Affairs, which coordinates the water activities carried out in connection with the water shortage in the country, will continue its work.
In the statement of the Directorate General, he also mentioned: Since 2010, the Danube watershed has experienced a 25 percent January rainfall deficit, and a 31 percent deficit in the Tiszáj compared to the climatic average. Within this, 79-89 percent of the precipitation was missing in March.
“Conscious water management” of the retained and stored water is continuously operating at Tiszán Szolnok, the most important goal of which is to ensure the supply of drinking water from the Kiskörei reservoir, i.e. Lake Tisza, to Szolnok and the satisfaction of economic water needs, the OVF announced.
Cover image: Bátonytereny of Halda Lake, which is drying out (Photo: Péter Komka/MTI)