Budapest readies for Danube flood peak, worst in decades

CGTN Europe

Budapest is bracing for near-record water levels as the Danube is expected to peak around 8.5m above normal levels. In preparation, the city has closed Margaret Island, a popular spot with hotels and restaurants, as residents scramble to build sandbag barriers around buildings and public transport stops. The worst flooding in central Europe in over two decades has caused widespread damage from Romania to Poland, destroying infrastructure and submerging vehicles. Authorities estimate the cost of the destruction to be in the billions. CGTN Europe’s Pablo Gutierrez is on the scene, reporting while standing in the waters of the Danube — because why not get a little closer to the action?

Transcript

00:00I'm standing here on the lower banks of the Danube River.

00:04This is an exit ramp and normally there would be a highway right there.

00:09It would be packed with cars at this time of the day.

00:13The water from the Danube has risen so much that this road is completely inundated.

00:19Now authorities said that the water is supposed to rise to about 8.5 meters.

00:26They are prepared, their flood defenses are prepared to withstand 9 meters.

00:33Water is rising at that level.

00:36Now travel disruptions are widespread with roads, rail stations and ferry services closed.

00:43This is just after a 1 meter rise in 24 hours.

00:48Several towns are cut off while northern regions face increased pressure on their dams due

00:55to the heavy rainfall from this passing storm.

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