Flood Risk Management in the Upper Tisza Basin in Hungary

Abstract

In Europe, Hungary ranks only behind the Netherlands with respect to flood exposure. Over half of the country?s territory, two-thirds of its arable land, and a third of its railways are exposed to riverine, ground water and flash floods. Estimates show that losses from flooding could reach almost a quarter of the GDP of river flood basins, or 7? 9 percent of the total GDP of the country. One of the highest flood risk areas in Hungary, and one of the poorest regions in Europe, is the Upper Tisza river basin in the north-eastern part of the country. The intensity and frequency of flood disasters in this region, and throughout Hungary, appear to be increasing because of development and farming practices in the exposed areas, deforestation and other land-use practices, the regulation of the rivers and neglect of the drainage systems. Worsening weather extremes due to climate change may also be a contributing factor. With increasing losses, the Hungarian government is concerned about continuing its tradition of taking almost full responsibility for flood risk management, including flood prevention, response, relief and public infrastructure repair.