Key facts
- Volunteers are building dams and terraces to retain water in Hungary.
- Drought conditions have led to record-low river levels.
- The "Water Guardians Movement" is a grassroots volunteer initiative.
- Past water management focused on draining wetlands and canals.
- Current strategy emphasizes restoring natural water retention.
- Drought damage is projected to reduce Hungary's economic growth by 0.4% in 2026.
In the face of a severe drought that has caused record-low river levels across Hungary, volunteers are taking matters into their own hands by building makeshift dams and water retention structures. These efforts, spearheaded by the "Water Guardians Movement," aim to capture and hold onto water, preparing for a future anticipated to be even hotter and drier.
In Ladany valley, forest workers and volunteers are constructing terraces of logs and deadwood, while in other areas, barriers are being built across streams to create small pools. This marks a significant shift from past water management strategies, which focused on draining wetlands and channeling water away from agricultural land to prevent floods. Experts now advocate for reversing these practices, allowing rivers to flow more slowly and retain groundwater.
The drought has had a substantial impact on Hungary's agriculture, a vital sector of its economy. Farmers are struggling with crop yields, with maize cultivation areas shrinking and even sunflowers being affected, leading to changes in oil quality. Researchers are working on drought-resistant crop varieties and providing recommendations for cultivation methods to enhance resilience.
The Hungarian central bank has forecast that the drought's damage to agriculture will reduce the country's economic growth by 0.4 percentage points in 2026. The personal toll is also evident, with residents like Borbala Kanizsay noting that the creek near her home ran dry in May for the first time, and many of her trees shed their leaves prematurely due to the parched conditions.