"We're nearing the tail end", Viktor Orban said at the flood information press conference, Monday morning. The Hungarian prime minister said that the flood is expected to peak in Baja at noon, and that the normalization of river water levels in the norther part of the country was happening more rapidly than originally forecast.
"In Budapest the Danube level is already at a 74-centimeter drop," he said. The PM stated that the area of level three alert has shrunk to 223 kilometers, giving every reason to look forward to the upcoming days with optimism.
"Some things are good when they are over, and flooding is certainly one of them."
The PM also said that while on Saturday a 755-kilometer stretch had to be protected, yesterday that decreased to only 706 kilometers, and that the section still under level three flood alert had been reduced.
"Everything points to Hungary being over the brunt of the flood. The pressure hasn't ceased, but has subsided, and this is also reflected in the number of people still involved in the protection operation, with currently 560 fewer people working along with a smaller number of volunteers," the prime minister said.
"Most settlements are in order, in Pilismarot we are protecting 3300 meters, six hundred-meter protection works are in order in Kismaros, Budapest and Margaret Island are in order. Water level is subsiding in Kisapostag, Madocsa and Paks are in order. At Bata, water has broken through onto an access road, but we are protecting the properties. In Baja there are 2700 meters of protection line, at 100% readiness, thanks also to the volunteers. In Dunaujvaros there is a used oil spill, but we are keeping it under control, while in Csepel an illegal landfill is in trouble, but we holding the levees here too. The owner is currently being detained, and will be prosecuted," he said.
PM Orban: Soon we can breathe a sigh of relief
In one and a half to two days the country can breathe a sigh of relief, the PM said.
In response to a press question on the flood protection, the prime minister said that the outcome speaks for itself, as we have managed to keep the Danube in the riverbed. He indicated that the opening of the temporary reservoir on the Lajta (Leitha) has helped in overcoming the difficulties.