Hungary drained its waters for generations. Now drought is exposing the cost

Hungary’s Lake Velence is at record-low levels, making boating difficult and forcing closures of swimming beaches, a sign of a worsening water crisis in the country. Fisherman Árpád Selmeci said navigating even a small boat has become increasingly hard as the water level has fallen to about 20 centimeters, well below the 150 centimeters optimal for August. The broader crisis is linked to longer droughts and heat waves across Europe, with Hungary also facing crop damage, drinking-water shortages, and pressure on its only nuclear power plant. Experts say Hungary’s approach to managing water has made the problem worse, including draining wetlands and relying on a vast network of over 40,000 kilometers of drainage canals.