10.9 °C
Visitors to Budapest may notice something unusual about the Danube this week: there is dramatically less water in the river. On Tuesday, the water level at Budapest fell to just 1 centimetre, breaking all previous records.
Budapest’s Danube has reached a remarkable new low: the river stood at just 1 centimetre at the city’s measuring station on Tuesday, September 8, setting a new record. The exceptionally low water level is a striking sight for visitors exploring the Hungarian capital, as parts of the riverbed that are normally hidden beneath the water have become increasingly visible.
The Danube had already broken its previous low-water record during the summer. At the end of July, the water level measured 27 centimetres, surpassing the previous negative record from 2018. The river continued to fall during August, losing almost another 20 centimetres before reaching the unprecedented 1-centimetre level on Tuesday.
For visitors, one of the most fascinating consequences can be seen near the Liberty Bridge. The unusually low water has made the remains of the former Ferenc József Bridge, which lies on the riverbed beside the present-day bridge, clearly visible. The bridge was destroyed during the Second World War and its submerged remains are normally concealed by the Danube.
.jpg)
The visible ruins of the 19th century Ferenc József Bridge in August
A particularly unusual sight along the Budapest waterfront is the Ínség-szikla (“Hunger Stone” or “Rock of Starvation”), a rocky outcrop near the Buda side of the Danube, also close to Liberty Bridge. It is normally hidden beneath the river, but becomes visible when the water falls below roughly 95 centimetres. Its ominous name reflects its historical symbolism: exceptionally low water levels were once associated with failed harvests, food shortages and hunger. This summer, the stone has emerged again as the Danube has reached extraordinary lows, turning an old local warning sign into a striking reminder of just how dramatically the river has receded.
The low water level is not simply a curiosity. It makes navigation considerably more difficult and can create safety risks because rocks, structures and other obstacles hidden beneath the surface can become hazards for boats. The extreme conditions are the result of a prolonged lack of rainfall and exceptionally dry conditions across the Danube's catchment area.
The water level hit 1 cm in Budapest on September 8.
There may, however, be some relief ahead. A weather front is expected to bring rainfall to the Danube's catchment area, with precipitation forecast to reach Hungary on Wednesday. This is expected to bring the river level back up from its historic low.
