Hungary imposes water restrictions as heatwave strains supply

Severe heat has pushed parts of Hungary into acute water scarcity. In the villages of Szomor and Gyermely, rising demand overwhelmed the supply network, prompting the use of tank trucks and the pre‑positioning of nearly 1,800 bottles of mineral water to meet residents' needs. Local mayors reported that rapid consumption during the hottest hours overwhelmed the system, leading to temporary outages in several streets.

The shortage has escalated to a broader crisis, with water restrictions now in force for 71 settlements across the country, including large parts of Pest County and the county of Zala. The Hungarian Water Utilities Association warned that evening demand can be twice the daytime average, and that the existing infrastructure cannot keep pace with the spike. The Duna Menti Regional Water Utility announced second‑degree water restrictions for 120 towns in its service area, while the prime minister urged citizens to curb use to prevent further shortages. Officials highlighted the risk of network collapse if consumption does not fall, and coordinated emergency water deliveries to the hardest‑hit areas.