# Hungary drought deepens, lakes hit record lows > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/velencei-lake-drought-response-in-hungary > Updated: 2026-08-05T03:00:07.000Z. Sources: 86. Developments: 28. The 2024‑2026 heat wave has kept Hungary’s lakes at historic minima. By mid‑June 2024 Velencei Lake fell to 53‑55 cm, prompting beach closures, a swimming ban at Velence Resort and the relocation of the University Canoe Sprint World Championships. Health authorities issued second‑level heat alerts as temperatures topped 35 °C, opening cooling centres. In the Zala region, second‑degree water‑use restrictions were imposed on 29 municipalities, banning garden watering, car washing and private‑pool filling, while water trucks continued to serve villages such as Zalaszentgrót and Zalacsány. Lake Balaton’s level dropped to a critical 79 cm, the lowest on record, forcing the postponement and route shortening of the Kékszalag sailing race and secondary bans in towns like Lengyeltóti. A decline in Danube flow raised concerns for Budapest’s “csápos” wells. The prolonged drought strained the lake‑region property market, with luxury listings falling 20‑30 % and new projects stalling as buyers hesitated. An open‑water swimmer defended Velencei’s water safety amid media alarm. On 1 August 2024 the Ministry of Environment and Water clarified that only local municipalities could impose first‑level restrictions, correcting earlier statements about a nationwide measure. A similar clarification was issued on 1 August 2026 after Bikács municipality announced a first‑level restriction; the ministry reiterated that restrictions remain a municipal matter under the 1995 Water Management Act. In July 2026, Lake Tisza’s level at the Kisköre gauge fell below 700 cm despite a basin‑wide water surplus, threatening the lake’s ecological balance and tourism projects launched in 2024. Water‑management officials are now balancing agricultural, ecological and recreational needs amid the ongoing drought. ## Claims - Water restrictions were imposed in 629 Hungarian municipalities: 465 first‑level, 151 second‑level and 13 third‑level. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Hungarian water consumption fell by 9 % in recent days due to public cooperation. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Danube water level at Paks fell to –135 cm, a record low. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Paks nuclear power plant operated at about 230 MW (≈10 % of capacity) due to low river water. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Voluntary power cuts of 600‑700 MW per day were achieved by companies and households. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Temperatures in Hungary reached 40‑43 °C during the early August 2026 heatwave. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Speed restrictions were imposed on 19 railway lines because of high rail temperatures. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Twenty‑four forest and vegetation fires were reported across Hungary during the heatwave. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Heatwave temperatures in Hungary reached 39‑42 °C. (corroborated by 2 sources) - A water shortage in Tápiószelén affected about 2,300 residents but service was restored after pressure‑management. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-05: Hungary's Lake Tisza faces record low water levels Lake Tisza in Hungary has dropped below 700 cm due to drought, threatening tourism and prompting water‑management actions despite a projected net water surplus for 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarys-lake-tisza-faces-record-low-water-levels ### 2026-08-04: Hungary imposes water restrictions amid heatwave and power cuts Hungary’s heatwave hit 40‑43 °C, prompting water restrictions in 629 towns, 9 % cut in water use, 600‑700 MW daily power cuts, Paks nuclear plant at 10 % capacity, rail speed limits and forest‑fire helicopter‑a 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarys-water-ministry-clarifies-municipal-water-restrictions ### 2026-08-02: Hungarian Lake Regions See Shift in Real Estate Demand and Tourism Revenue Hungary’s Velencei‑tó area is seeing a move from holiday homes to year‑round family housing, while South Balaton hospitality revenues fell about 20% amid water‑quality and cost challenges. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-lake-regions-see-shift-in-real-estate-demand-and-tourism-revenue ### 2026-07-28: Lake Velence water level collapse triggers fish die‑off and real‑estate slowdown Lake Velence’s water level is projected to fall to 20 cm, killing 80 % of its fish. Concurrently, holiday‑home demand has dropped 7 % overall and 26 % for rentals, shifting buyers toward permanent residences. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lake-velence-water-level-collapse-triggers-fish-dieoff-and-realestate-slowdown ### 2026-07-26: Hungary launches emergency plan as Lake Velence hits historic low water level Lake Velence fell to a 32 cm water level, prompting swimming bans, a government 12‑point rescue plan, and emergency dredging, while drought drives pump installations and low‑water alerts for the Danube. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/velenceit-water-level-drops-and-bacterial-contamination-prompt-bathing-ban-in-hungary ### 2026-07-22: Budapest Drinking Water Supply Threatened by Record Low Danube Levels A record low Danube flow cuts pressure on Budapest’s river‑bed filtration wells, threatening the city’s drinking water supply and already causing shortages in nearby villages. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/budapest-drinking-water-supply-threatened-by-record-low-danube-levels ### 2026-07-18: Hungarian Velencei-tó faces record low water, real‑estate market stalls Record low water at Hungary's Velencei-tó has left beaches barren and halted tourism, causing a sharp drop in real‑estate demand and stalled housing projects around the lake. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-velencei-t-faces-record-low-water-realestate-market-stalls ### 2026-07-16: Swimmer Zimányi defends Velencei Lake water safety amid media alarm Swimmer Zimányi András posted a video saying Velencei Lake’s water is pleasant and safe for swimming, disputing media claims of low levels and poor quality, while urging personal verification. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/swimmer-zimnyi-defends-velencei-lake-water-safety-amid-media-alarm ### 2026-07-13: Hungary's Lake Balaton water level falls, prompting restrictions Lake Balaton’s water level dropped to about 65 cm, far below normal, leading Hungarian authorities to limit water use and delay a sailing race. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarys-lake-balaton-water-level-falls-prompting-restrictions ### 2026-07-12: Hungary's Lake Velence water drop threatens tourism and property market Lake Velence’s record low level endangers tourism, raises salinity, and stalls luxury property sales, while cheap weekend homes stay in demand; officials call for Danube water replenishment. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarys-lake-velence-water-drop-threatens-tourism-and-property-market ### 2026-07-11: Hungary adjusts Kékszalag sailing race route as Lake Balaton reaches record low level Lake Balaton’s water level has dropped to 66 cm, prompting officials to shift the Kékszalag sailing race buoy 1.6 km east and shorten the course as levels may fall to 55 cm by race day. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungary-adjusts-kkszalag-sailing-race-route-as-lake-balaton-reaches-record-low-level ### 2026-07-08: Velencei‑tó real estate market stagnates amid low water levels and shifting buyer preferences Velencei‑tó’s real‑estate market is stagnant with low transactions and stable prices; low lake water levels pose a long‑term risk as buyers shift toward year‑round, climate‑ready homes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/velenceit-real-estate-market-stagnates-amid-low-water-levels-and-shifting-buyer-preferences ### 2026-06-29: Lake Balaton records extreme surface heat while water level sinks to critical low Lake Balaton’s surface water hit near 33 °C while its level fell to a critical 79 cm, prompting logistical changes for summer events. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lake-balaton-records-extreme-surface-heat-while-water-level-sinks-to-critical-low ### 2026-06-29: Lake Balaton water reaches nearly 33 °C during Hungarian heatwave Lake Balaton’s surface water hit up to 32.9 °C on Monday, a heat‑related record that could impact water quality, amid a nationwide heat dome linked to climate change. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lake-balaton-water-reaches-nearly-33-c-during-hungarian-heatwave ### 2026-06-26: Velencei Lake water level drops, threatening tourism and local businesses Velencei Lake’s water level may drop to 30 cm, endangering bathing spots and tourism, with local businesses reporting sharp visitor declines. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/velencei-lake-water-level-drops-threatening-tourism-and-local-businesses ### 2026-06-25: Velencei Lake water level plummets to historic low, could reach 30 cm by summer’s end Velencei Lake’s level fell to a record 52 cm in June and may drop to 30 cm by summer’s end, prompting beach closures, tourism concerns, and calls for water‑retention measures. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/velencei-lake-water-level-plummets-to-historic-low-could-reach-30-cm-by-summers-end ### 2026-06-23: Hungary faces critical water shortages at Velencei Lake and Zala Hungary's Velencei Lake hits historic low water levels and Zala region imposes secondary water restrictions, affecting 18,000 people amid drought and climate concerns. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungary-faces-critical-water-shortages-at-velencei-lake-and-zala ### 2026-06-23: Zalaszentgrót region imposes second‑degree water restrictions amid severe drought Severe drought forces Zalaszentgrót area in Hungary to impose second‑degree water restrictions for 29 towns, affecting ~18,000 people and prompting water trucks, limited baths, and hospital water use cuts. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zalaszentgrt-implements-secondlevel-water-restrictions-amid-drought ### 2026-06-21: Hungary grapples with intense heatwave, health alerts and record low water in Velencei Lake Hungary faces a week‑long heatwave with temps up to 38 °C, health warnings, cooling‑center support and a record low of 52 cm in Velencei Lake. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarys-velencei-lake-hits-record-low-water-level ### 2026-06-21: Hungary's Lake Velence hits historic low water level, beaches shut Lake Velence in Hungary fell to a record‑low 53 cm, prompting beach closures, boat service suspension and the relocation of a canoe championship, as officials consider emergency water‑saving measures. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarys-lake-velence-hits-historic-low-water-level-beaches-shut ### 2026-06-20: Velencei Lake reaches record low water level, beaches shut Velencei Lake’s water level has plunged to near‑record lows, closing beaches, harming tourism and prompting government plans for water‑level restoration. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/velencei-lake-reaches-record-low-water-level-beaches-shut ### 2026-06-20: Hungarian kayak‑canoe championship moved from Velencei Lake due to low water Hungary moved its university kayak‑canoe world championship from Velencei Lake to Szeged after the lake’s water fell to 55 cm, exposing criticism of the 51 billion‑forint academy built there. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-kayakcanoe-championship-moved-from-velencei-lake-due-to-low-water ### 2026-06-18: Velencei‑tó water level approaches historic low amid severe drought in Hungary Hungary’s Velencei‑tó is at 54 cm, near its 53 cm historic low, with a brief rise to 55 cm on 18 June; drought also depresses Balaton, and heat‑driven evaporation may worsen levels. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/velenceit-water-level-approaches-historic-low-amid-severe-drought-in-hungary ### 2026-06-12: Hungary's Lake Velence dries to near‑record low, threatening tourism and wildlife Lake Velence in Hungary has fallen to 56 cm, near a historic low, as drought and mismanagement threaten tourism and wildlife; experts suggest reservoir upgrades, wastewater reuse and possible Danube transfers. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarys-lake-velence-dries-to-nearrecord-low-threatening-tourism-and-wildlife ### 2026-06-12: Hungary's Velencei Lake faces historic low water levels Velencei Lake in Hungary has dropped to 55 cm, near a historic low, and may fall to 30 cm by summer’s end. Drought, low rainfall and limited reservoir capacity are blamed, while the government vows to upgrade水 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarys-velencei-lake-faces-historic-low-water-levels ### 2026-06-07: Severe water shortages threaten Hungary's Velencei Lake and Romania's Kovászna region Hungary’s Velencei Lake and Romania’s Kovászna region face severe water shortages, with drought‑driven lake decline and irrigation‑driven network strain prompting calls for sustainable water sources and usage‑s 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/severe-water-shortages-threaten-hungarys-velencei-lake-and-romanias-kovszna-region ### 2026-06-02: Hungarian government moves to pass law saving Velencei Lake from drought Hungary's Velencei Lake fell to 62 cm, prompting the government to draft a law aimed at improving water quality, sustainable replenishment, and shoreline management. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungarian-government-moves-to-pass-law-saving-velencei-lake-from-drought ### 2026-05-21: Velencei Lake faces critical water shortage as costly revival plans are debated Velencei Lake’s level dropped to 66 cm; costly repairs and five water‑supply options are under review. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/velencei-lake-faces-critical-water-shortage-as-costly-revival-plans-are-debated --- Cite as: Hungary drought deepens, lakes hit record lows. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/velencei-lake-drought-response-in-hungary