PM Orbán about flood defence and migration-related fine – UPDATE

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Monday that flood defence efforts in Hungary are nearing their end, adding that there is “every chance to be as optimistic as possible about the remaining couple of days.”

Flood defence in Hungary

“We have to hold out for another day and a half or two and then the country can breathe a sigh of relief,” the prime minister told a press conference after a meeting of the operative body for flood protection, adding that rain that could affect flood levels was not in the forecast.

Orbán said the Danube is expected to peak at Baja, in the southwest, at noon, with a third-degree, highest flood alert in place for that town, and a second-degree alert issued for Mohacs.

The Danube is receding quicker on its upper sections than anticipated, he said, adding that the pressure on the country was now easing.

The Danube’s water level receded 80 centimetres at Mosonmagyarovar in the northwest, 136cm at Esztergom in the north, 92cm at Vac, north of Budapest, 74cm in Budapest and 17cm at Dunaujvaros, he said. Meanwhile, the Raba receded 130cm at Gyor, he added.

Orbán noted that flood defence operations were carried out along 755 kilometres on Saturday and just 706 kilometres on Sunday. Flood alerts were only in place along 223 kilometres, he added.

Orbán said 5,025 people were involved in the flood protection efforts on Saturday, and only 4,458 on Sunday. Just 195 volunteers are taking part in the work now. The total number of sandbags used in the defence work came to 1,903,100.

The prime minister said that in Budapest, Margaret Island and the Batthyany Square metro station could be re-opened to traffic.

The water has also begun receding in Kisapostag, south of the capital, he said, adding that the situation at Dunafoldvar, Madocsa and Paks was “all right”.

In response to a question, Orbán said the work of the state bodies was reflected in the results. He said the waters had been kept confined to the riverbeds, and only the Leitha had to be released along one section.

Whereas the peak water levels on the Danube did not exceed the all-time record, the Leitha’s peak level marked its highest recorded water levels, he said, adding that the section in question had been protected by the opening of an emergency reservoir.

“If the water stays in the riverbed, then there’s no problem and the flood defence is successful,” Orbán said.

He said the matter of flood defence along certain river sections falling under the competence of the state and other sections under that of the local council had not caused any problems.

“It turns out that when there’s trouble, Hungarians are capable of protecting their localities by applying a flexible interpretation of the legal framework and helping each other,” the prime minister said, adding that he had “nothing but the best” to say about the cooperation among those who had participated in the defence work.

Orbán also said plans were in place for the winding down of flood defence efforts, and that all the necessary tasks have been completed.

He said that once the flood waves have receded the focus will be on public health tasks.

Orbán noted that the total cost of this year’s flood protection efforts is expected to come to around 5 billion forints (EUR 12.7m) compared with the 19.6 billion forints spent in 2013.

Asked about possible mistakes that might have been made, Orbán said the work of the state bodies was reflected in the results. “Hungary 1, Danube floods 0,” he added.

Once the waters recede, he said, they will evaluate the defence work and determine the areas where building a permanent flood barrier may be worthwhile. At the same time, he called for “continued discipline” over the next two days.

Migration-related fine

In response to another question, Orbán said the “migration-related fine” imposed on Hungary by Brussels “has been collected” from the companies operating in the country, adding that the fine would not be covered by the Hungarian people.

Debate with Péter Magyar?

Asked about a proposed debate with Péter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza Party, Orbán said he always gave an answer when he had something to say, and the place for debates was parliament. He said there was a time and place for debates outside the legislative assembly, adding that there would be a time for it, “but it isn’t now”.

Flood defence efforts

Bence Rétvári, the interior ministry’s parliamentary state secretary, told the press conference that law enforcement officials are on duty at 59 sites to assist with flood defence efforts. There are units dispatched to 50 spots under full road closures and another two under half lane restriction, Retvari said.

The disaster management authority is operating 95 water pumps, he said, adding that drinking water was continuously monitored for quality.

He said local councils were advised on the handling of sandbags.

In the context of the situation in Europe, Retvári noted that floods have claimed 28 lives in neighbouring countries but none so far in Hungary.

István Láng, the head of Hungary’s Water Management Directorate, said the Danube was expected to peak at Baja, in the southwest, during the day, adding that all protection measures were in place. The authorities are also fully prepared for the flooding to peak at Báta, Bár, Dunaszekcső, Madocsa and Mohács. He said there was an emergency preparedness on the Leitha river.

Eszter Vitályos, the government spokeswoman, called the overall collaboration in flood defence “exemplary” and preventing the closure of highway 11 in the north “a great achievement”.

• read also: Flood peak over in Budapest, here is when the Danube will recede – details and PHOTOS

Read here more news about floods in Hungary.

UPDATE

Orbán inspects flood defence efforts in Baja

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán inspected flood defence efforts on the Danube in the southern town of Baja on Monday, as water levels were expected to peak.

Orbán made the inspection with Róbert Zsigó, the electoral district’s MP, and Bernadett Bari Kálmán, the town’s mayor-elect.

The prime minister was briefed on the flood situation by water management experts, who said flood defense efforts are underway along 2,800 meters on Petőfi Island. Because a part of the defence line had been left in place after the 2013 floods, less than half of it had to be built this time. The flood barrier was completed by Friday evening thanks to the efforts of firefighters, local council workers and volunteers, and was reinforced with sandbags.

Sandbags were also placed at other crucial points on the island. Heavy machinery and 130 firefighters are also on standby.

“We’re prepared for the defence work needed in the coming hours,” Orbán said.

The prime minister and the mayor-elect agreed that in future Baja will be protected by mobile dams instead of temporary ones.