The mayor of Budapest has confirmed that the city faces the highest level of flood alerts starting Monday. This alert affects all sections of the Danube, leading to the closure of both embankments from Monday evening until further notice.
The largest flood in a decade is approaching the Hungarian capital, according to Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony. Forecasts predict that the water will reach the lower Pest embankment by Tuesday morning, with flooding expected to follow shortly after. Parking along the riverside is already prohibited, and starting at 8 pm on Monday, both embankments will be closed to all traffic.
This includes Margaret Island, which will be closed to vehicle traffic, with restricted pedestrian access. The Római-part area will also be heavily affected, where streets like Királyok útja and Nánási út will be closed to allow smooth operations and deliveries. The flood is expected to peak later this week, with water levels reaching 8 metres. Defence works are already underway, including the closure of floodgates, distribution of sandbags, and the construction of a clay dyke.
Public transport and international train services are already facing disruptions, with buses taking diverted routes. So make sure to plan ahead. You can stay updated and plan your journey using the Budapest Go app, available here and here.
(Cover photo: Flood in June 2024, Balázs Ladóczki - We Love Budapest)
