Hungary faces a severe water shortage and historic drought conditions, with the water level of the Danube at Paks dropping to minus 133 centimétres on a Sunday afternoon, according to available reports. This drop forced the shutdown of three blocks at the Paksi Atomerőmű, while further turbine closures remain expected as low water levels impact safe cooling operations.
Political Context and Past Water Management Decisions
Lázár János, serving previously as the construction and transport minister in the Orbán government, acknowledged government shortcomings regarding water infrastructure. Speaking at a joint hearing of Parliament’s Enterprise Development Committee and Sustainable Development Committee in December, Lázár stated that the government made a mistake by failing to build large water reservoirs ten years ago to retain water.
According to Lázár, those remarks countered the narrative pushed by Fidesz politicians—now in opposition—who attribute blame solely to the Tisza party government that took office in May for leaving the country unprepared for the historic drought and heatwave. Lázár responded to a query from Keresztes László Lóránt, then co-leader of LMP, who criticized the lack of a government water management strategy.
Did You Know? Lázár János revealed during a parliamentary committee hearing that 200 millimetres of water are missing from the soil across the Alföld region.
The Extent of the Water Deficit
During the committee hearing, Lázár described the current water outflow as unsustainable, noting that the country releases significantly more freshwater than enters its borders. He characterized the situation starkly, stating that the country is heading toward total destruction due to alarming geographical and natural phenomena.
Magyar Péter issued an announcement regarding the operational status of the Paks nuclear plant, pointing to the imminent shutdown of the final turbine due to cooling safety constraints posed by the receding river levels. The crisis highlights broader energy and environmental pressures affecting the entire European continent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the shutdown of the Paksi Atomerőmű blocks?
The plant’s blocks were shut down because the Danube water level dropped to minus 133 centimétres at Paks, making safe cooling unachievable.
What did Lázár János admit regarding past government actions?
Lázár admitted that the government committed a mistake a decade ago by failing to build large water reservoirs capable of retaining water.
How much water is missing from the Alföld region according to the disclosures?
Government discussions noted that 200 millimetres of water are missing from the soil across the Alföld.
How will regional agricultural and energy sectors manage the compounding pressures of historic droughts and falling river levels in the coming days?
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