Flooded but not defeated: the residents of Budapest navigate catastrophic flooding

Linda Juhász-Horváth, Technical Officer for Environment and Health at the WHO Country Office in Hungary and a mother of 2, has always understood the delicate balance of living close to nature. For the past decade, she and her husband have made their home on a houseboat on the Danube River in Hungary.

The couple built their life on the water, embracing an existence surrounded by nature, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Their 2 young daughters, aged 5 and 7, were born into this unique way of life.

But living on the water comes with its own set of challenges. As Linda and her family recently learned, the beauty of nature can swiftly reveal its overwhelming force.

Exceptional rainfall

Like many other families living along the Danube, Linda and her family were forced to leave their home when devastating floods struck central Europe. The floodwaters, a result of slow-moving Storm Boris, wreaked havoc on the region, bringing the river to heights not seen in years. For Linda and her family, this was a new experience – one that shook the foundation of their tranquil life on the river.

“Monitoring water levels is a daily routine for us,” Linda explains. Last year, their concern was for extremely low water levels, but this year the Danube’s rise has been relentless. She and her family were forced to watch as the river slowly encroached on their home. Bridges connecting their boat to the shore were submerged; the family had to quickly evacuate their home or risk being stuck on the boat in fast-moving and rising floodwaters.

For Linda’s 2 young children, the situation was especially frightening. “We’ve never been in a situation where we had to leave our home because of external forces. Packing up our belongings, knowing we couldn’t go back – it was heartbreaking. Our daughters are too young to realize that this is temporary, and that everything will be okay. They’re anxious in a way they’ve never been before.”

Linda and her husband are offering their children extra reassurance to support them at this difficult time. “We’re giving them lots of hugs and love to help them emotionally get through it, knowing they can’t go home right now.”

The flood peaks in Budapest, but the emergency is far from over

Fortunately, the floodwaters in Budapest are beginning to recede. A retired man who lives 250 metres from the river’s edge shows how high up on his wall the Danube’s water was the day before. In the 25 years he has lived in the area, this is the fourth time a flood has threatened his home.

Since Storm Boris receded, thousands of people have flocked to the banks of the Danube to witness the floods. Some people take selfies and others even wade into the river for a closer look, not realizing that the floodwaters are mixed with sewage and animal carcasses, posing a risk of infection.

The streets and properties nearest the river are now blanketed in mud and debris, and will need to be washed down and then thoroughly disinfected. Until then, for those in contact with floodwater, frequent handwashing and disinfection of footwear and clothing remain the best defences against infection.

Resilience, preparation and flexibility

Many families along the Danube are dealing with the stress of flood, evacuation, loss and property damage, as well as an uncertain future. As Linda waits to return to her houseboat, she considers herself lucky. Friends and relatives have rallied around her, offering shelter and support as she and her family navigate this period of displacement.

“Nature is showing its power, and this is no coincidence,” she reflects. “We must recognize that this flooding is not just a whim of nature, but something we humans have significantly contributed to. One week it’s 35 degrees Celsius, the next there’s flooding – these are warning signs of the climate crisis we are facing.”

Around the world, the building of settlements on flood plains also contributes to the devastating consequences of extreme weather.

The Hungarian Government and local communities, together with volunteers, have been working effectively and tirelessly to carry out protection and recovery operations in flood zones and beyond, from large-scale flood protection measures to coordinated local actions.

For Linda, the floods underscore the need for resilience, preparation and flexibility. In her work, she has long advocated for integrating environmental and health considerations into all areas of life, a message that is increasingly at the centre of global conversations.

“The world has reached a point where environmental and health aspects should be considered in every area,” she urges.

The scale of the floods in the WHO European Region this year is another reminder of the urgent need for countries to work jointly on combating climate change and its impacts on health. This commitment is spelled out in the groundbreaking Budapest Declaration that emerged from the 2023 Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health.

WHO/Europe is partnering with Member States to tackle this challenge via its Regional Office in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the European Office for Environment and Health in Bonn, Germany.