Hungary's Parliament will prepare to extend the state of emergency called at the beginning of last week due to the flood situation, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told a news conference today in the city of Esztergom, north of Budapest.

The height of the flood wave is approaching the capital, and the next two days would be decisive, he said by adding  that 7-8 days would be needed for the cleanup in Budapest. It is expected that on June-17-18, the level of the Danube will recede to below 650 cm, the level at which the lower embankment would be free of water.

Parliament is scheduled to approve the extension of the state of emergency on Monday, the Prime minister informed. The government will decide on Tuesday whether to call a state of emergency for the section of the river that runs through the capital.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday praised flood defence efforts in the country and the fact that no human life had been lost due to water levels on the Danube rising to record-breaking highs.

According to information provided by the disaster management authority (OKF) so far 1,200 people have been evacuated from 28 settlements in 6 counties in Hungary, while 44 roads have been closed, due to the flooding Danube.

(Prime Minister’s Office)